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Make your Sigma Pi Sigma Experience Count
By Joseph Gartner
Ohio
State University Chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma
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The
Ohio
State University Chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma has an outreach
organization within itself called PHOTON (Physics Outreach
To Our Neighbors.) Beginning in 2003 it has had a presence
every year at the Ohio State Fair in cooperation with the
local 4H organization.
During the state fair, PHOTON mans a booth
where people can try their hand at physics experiments such
as bicycle powered headlights, rotating table and weights,
and a bed of nails. In addition, a Physics demonstration show
is put on several times a day which includes some microwave
oven, liquid nitrogen and smoke ring experiments.
They have also worked
closely with Big Brothers Big Sisters by holding events either
on campus or at one of their offices. With new students coming
into their chapter they now have ties to Girl Scouts and have
had a boat building competition where the Girl Scouts use
household materials to build boats to sail across Ohio State’s
own Mirror Lake.
Their newest endeavor was to participate in
Science Day at Wyandot Lake, a local amusement and water park.
Several demonstration shows were conducted on an outdoor stage,
and a hands-on area was set up to correspond to core educational
topics required of the students.
Other ongoing activities include tutoring
at various local high schools, specifically a program designed
for older students to obtain their GED called Youth-Build
Columbus. The students are past the age of regular high school
and to afford the cost of schooling they build local houses
in the morning and then come back into class during the afternoon
to prepare for the GED. |
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| Ohio
State Fair: Chapter President Tomm Scaife makes smoke rings
for young onlookers. |
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Getting inducted into any chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma is a great
honor. Showing a continued commitment to academics through the trials
of Quantum Mechanics and Electrodynamics are more than the average
college student can handle, and recognition of this diligence is
well deserved. Despite this kind accolade, being recognized as a
worthy member of Sigma Pi Sigma is more than just one line to be
displayed on a CV. It identifies you as having a responsibility
to your community, school, and the scientific community.
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| Kyle
Metzroth explains the spectrum of a gas discharge tube to local
students during the regional campus's Lima Science Day. |
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For the last few years, the Ohio State chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma
has responded strongly to their responsibility, by conducting a
series of outreach programs. These programs are designed to inspire
interest in physics in the whole community. When most people think
about physics, they think rocket science or their least favorite
class in college. OSU’s chapter has aimed to change that,
making people realize that to understand physics is to understand
the world around you.
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| Tony
Vincent shows how to transfer charge with the aide of an aspiring
young scientist. |
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The way of shedding this understanding is a series of hands on
demonstrations. The year’s biggest event is always the State
fair. One of the more popular exhibits is a bike used to generate
electricity. Passers-by are challenged to power car headlights by
leg strength alone; most are stunned that they are unable to power
more than 3 lights. Another crowd favorite is the microwave show,
where sigma members nuke everything from CD’s and candles,
to light bulbs and soap. The popularity of this particular demonstration
has even caused the department to create a microwave with a camera
to capture the action inside! Other groups, such as local schools
and the big brothers and sisters of America, also schedule shows.
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| Sigma
Pi Sigma held a special activity day for the Columbus, OH, area
chapter of Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Katie Hinko places a young
boy on top of a volunteer who is resting comfortably on a bed
of nails. |
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There are other ways of bringing physics to the people as well.
Last year, The Girl Scouts of America teamed up with OSU’s
Sigma chapter to have a boat designing contest. Scouts came from
around the state to design small boats to cross Ohio States most
famous landmarks, Mirror Lake. The girls were eager to design, but
first discussed general concepts such as water resistance, buoyancy,
and power.
Whatever the event, from shows to tutoring, there are always two
goals: spread understanding and inspire interest. People want to
understand what is around them, and having an education obligates
you to spread the knowledge. Try to connect what you learn to the
world; physics belongs everywhere, not just in the laboratory.
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