Kansas City, Mo. – In an effort to spread the excitement and wonder of physics and astrophysics, the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) College of Arts and Sciences‘ Department of Physics is hosting its first annual Physics Phest at 3 p.m. on Friday, August 26 on the second and third floors of Flarsheim Hall, 5110 Rockhill Rd.; and on the quad between Flarsheim and Royall Hall, 800 E. 52nd St. The event is an opportunity for high school and college students to learn more about how the world and universe work.
After the event concludes at 8 p.m., everyone is invited to watch “Back to the Future” at Royall Hall’s Auditorium (Room 104) and to observe the celestial universe at Warko Observatory on the roof of Royall Hall.
“We want to give science-minded students access to professional and student scientists, and we want them to feel welcomed to our scientific community,” said Daniel McIntosh, assistant professor of Physics and lead organizer of Physics Phest.
Throughout the afternoon, Physics students and faculty will lead tours of professional research labs, machine shops and student labs. Demonstrations of physics phenomena will be on display, including a variety of hands-on make-and-break activities and make-and-take souvenir projects. Physics faculty members will host question-and-answer sessions about their research specialties, the department’s curriculum, real-world applications of physics and what sparks their love of physics. Free hot dogs and hamburgers (with vegetarian options) will be provided and free T-shirts will be given to the first 600 students who attend.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.