Physics Force Receives 2025 Societal Impact Award 

The Physics Force, an outreach group currently in its fortieth year of bringing exciting physics demonstrations to K-12 students, has received a 2025 Societal Impact Award from the University of Minnesota’s Office for Public Engagement. The Societal Impact Award recognizes an individual researcher, a collaboration among individuals, or a particular research project or program for exemplary academically-based community-engaged service and outreach.

Physics Force performs live demonstrations for about 40,000 school children annually and over the years has performed for an estimated one in four people in the State of Minnesota. 

Above: Original Physics Force members Jack Netland (left) and Hank Ryan (right) join Shaul Hanany on stage at the Fortieth Anniversary show. 

The University's Office for Public Engagement administers public engagement awards that recognize the breadth and depth of community-engaged research, teaching, and service across the University system. The 2025 recipients will be honored at an April 29 awards luncheon for their outstanding public engagement work.

"These awardees represent truly exemplary University-community partnerships across research, teaching, and outreach that make real differences in society. We are honored to recognize their contributions to community-engaged scholarship!" said Laurie Van Egeren, Vice Provost for Public Engagement. Physics Force is facilitated by the School of Physics and Astronomy and is supported by the College of Science and Engineering, the 3M Corporation, MRSEC, and the Mayo Foundation.