Physics for All
From searching for a hidden treasure with Albert Einstein to following the timeline of twentieth century physics discoveries, the American Physical Society’s Physics for All programs aim to capture the imaginations of people of all ages with the wonders of physics and its importance in our everyday lives. Physics is all around us, and its greatest discoveries start with curiosity and determination. Whether you’re aged 5 or 100, we want to show you the excitement of physics.
Learn about all of our Physics Initiatives, Resources & Materials and Physics History Projects.
NCAR Sponsored Trip to Kenya
APS Public Outreach Specialist, Chris Discenza, was able to accompany Sherri Heck and Christina Pease of the National Center for Atmospheric Research on a NCAR sponsored trip to Kenya in July 2009. The outreach, organized by Sherri Heck, was primarily to provide physics and atmospheric science materials to rural schools in Kenya.
Photos courtesy of NCAR
Informing the Public
Highlighted Projects
Historic Sites Initiative
The purpose of the Historic Sites initiative is to raise public awareness of physics. Unexpected encounters with an attractive plaque that identifies an important and interesting event in the history of physics will be an effective way of getting physics before the general public. The initiative will also benefit physicists by increasing their own awareness of important past scientific advances, hence of their membership in the historic evolution of their profession.
LaserFest
Watching your favorite movie on DVD. Surfing the web for an elusive piece of information. Saving time and scanning your own barcodes in the self check-out at the grocery store. Without the work of scientists 50 years ago to create the laser, we wouldn’t have these and countless other technologies today. The first laser was successfully operated in 1960. This milestone marks one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century – one that has revolutionized the way we live.
PhysicsQuest
PhysicsQuest is a middle school competition that consists of four physical science experiments centered on a mystery. The experiments are designed to be done by small groups in a classroom or after school setting. Each of the experiments gives students a clue that they need to solve the mystery. Classes can submit their answers online and be entered into a random drawing for prizes. PhysicsQuest kits are provided free to registered classrooms.
Members can 