Physics and Astronomy Outreach
Information on public astronomy observing programs, astronomy presentations, resources for educators, and special public programs is availabe on the Space Science Outreach Page.
November 19 Partial Eclipse Information
Other astronomy programs, appropriate for all audiences, are:
- Exploring the Solar System
- Missions to Mars
- Return to The Moon
- Building and Launching Model Rockets
- Star Parties
Contact Paul Lewis (gplewis@utk.edu) for more information on astronomy outreach.
Physics faculty and instructors give presentations to local schools, and our Society of Physics Students has a strong outreach mission, as evidenced through their physics demos at Market Square in downtown Knoxville, their work with the MUSE Knoxville, and the annual Pumpkin Drop at Halloween.
The West High School & L&N STEM Physics Academy program is dedicated to create communication between UT Physics faculty and high school teachers and students. As part of the program, interested UT physics faculty members will present lectures in school classrooms. This will create a great opportunity for high school students to interact with physicists and to learn more about their research, and STEM fields in general. We hope that this program will motivate enough interest in students to join the UT undergraduate physics program.
Year 2 IB:
- Friday, November 5
Anthony Mezzacappa
Einstein’s Relativity: Shattering our Everyday Notions of Time - Wednesday, November 17
Thomas Papenbrock
Quantum Physics in our Everyday Life
Year 1 IB:
- Monday, November 22
Max Lavrentovich
The Second Law of Thermodynamics - Tuesday, November 30
Soren Sorensen
What is everything made of?
- AP Physics C, Monday, November 1
Anthony Mezzacappa
Einstein’s Relativity: Shattering our Everyday Notions of Time - Honors Physics, Wednesday, November 10
Soren Sorensen
What is Everything Made of? - AP Physics 1, Monday November 15
Anthony Mezzacappa
Einstein’s Relativity: Shattering our Everyday Notions of Time
- Section 1 – Wednesday, November 10
Anthony Mezzacappa
Research on the Origin of the Elements, in your own Back Yard - Section 2 – Wednesday, November 24
Anthony Mezzacappa
Research on the Origin of the Elements, in your own Back Yard
| Speaker | Title |
|---|---|
| Cristian Batista | The Strange World of Quantum Physics: the Dual Particle and Wave Nature of Matter |
| Kate Grzywacz-Jones | The Periodic Table’s Cosmic Origin |
| Tova Holmes | TBA |
| Yuri Kamyshkov | Matter and Antimatter |
| Max Lavrentovich | The Second Law of Thermodynamics |
| Larry Lee | TBA |
| Jian Liu | Everyday Quantum Physics: from Spin to Magnetic Applications |
| Anthony Mezzacappa | Einstein’s Relativity: Shattering our Everyday Notions of Time |
| Thomas Papenbrock | Quantum Physics in our Everyday Life |
| George Siopsis | Quantum Information—the Light Edition |
| Soren Sorensen | What is Everything Made of? |
Spring 2021
- April 8: Professor Soren Sorensen—What is Everything Made of?
- April 16: Professor Anthony Mezzacappa—Einstein’s Relativity: Shattering our Everyday Notions of Time
- April 22: Professor Kate Grzywacz-Jones—The Periodic Table’s Cosmic Origin Story
Spring 2019
- February 5: Professor Anthony Mezzacappa—Special Relativity
- February 6: Professor Anthony Mezzacappa—General Relativity
- February 26: Assistant Professor Maxim Lavrentovich
Spring 2018
- February 1: Kranti Gunthoti—Static Electricity
Fall 2017
- October 5: Assistant Professor Sowjanya Gollapinni—Particle Physics
- October 5: Kranti Gunthoti—Electromagnetism
- November 16: Professor Yuri Kamyshkov—Matter/Antimatter
- November 17: Professor Anthony Mezzacappa —Special Relativity
Spring 2017
- May 11: Professor Anthony Mezzacappa—Special Relativity
Fall 2016
- November 2: Professor Anthony Mezzacappa, Assistant Professor Sowjanya Gollapinni, and Kranti Gunthoti—Physics and Society.
- December 12: Assistant Professor Sowjanya Gollapinni—Neutrinos