Bradley hosts Physics Day for high school students

By Margaret Cipriano ‘15

In February, the Bradley University physics department hosted its 5th annual Physics Day for local high schools. This year, 37 students from East Peoria and Olympia made their way around the department to get a feel for a college-level physics program.

As part of the event, high school students were introduced to different types of lab equipment and modes of research. To simulate a typical college laboratory, students conducted hands-on experiments including spectroscopy, Lissajous figures, E/M experiments, Michaelson Morely Interference and the Balmer experiment. Each of these experiments were overseen by current majors and professors, who then sat down with the high school students for lunch and answered any of their questions.

Not only did the day show that physics isn’t as intimidating as it might appear, it also allowed high school students to experience the hands-on academics offered at Bradley.  The day closed with a show by current physics students who demonstrated different scientific methods in action.