CU-Boulder scientists with a special interest in educating young children will give 10 monthly science shows this year starting Sept. 28 for children in grades five through nine.
The 20th annual series of hour-long Saturday morning shows will feature astronomy, chemistry-biochemistry and physics topics.
Leading off the series will be nationally recognized physicist and teacher John Taylor, for many years CU-Boulder's "Mr. Wizard." Taylor set the standard for introducing youngsters to science in fast-paced, entertaining shows peppered with lively demonstrations and experiments. Taylor's show on Sept. 28 is titled "Why Things Move."
Two new CU Wizards joining the lineup are Professor Noel Clark of physics and Chris Conery of the Broomfield High School science faculty.
To reflect the broader range of content, this year the shows will be given in three different locations -- Duane Physics room G-030, Chemistry room 140 and Fiske Planetarium. All but one will begin at 9:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of the month. The final show on June 21 will begin at 10 a.m.
The popular shows are free and open to the public. Parents are advised to arrive early to find choice seating and parking.
Free parking is available for all the shows only in lot 436, the Regent Drive Autopark. Lot 378 southeast of the stadium will be free for all shows except on Oct. 26, when a home football game is scheduled. Other lots available are 169, 308 and 396.
"This year the CU Wizard shows spotlight the university's physics, chemistry-biochemistry and astronomy faculty, and they draw on such research facilities as JILA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology," said series coordinator David Nesbitt. Nesbitt will give the Dec. 28 show.
JILA is the former Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics.
The 1996-97 CU Wizard schedule follows:
聙Sept. 28, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G-030, Professor John Taylor of physics on "Why Things Move."
聙Oct. 26, 9:30 a.m., Chemistry room 140, Professor Casey Hynes of chemistry-biochemistry on "Water and Its Elements: Chemistry Wet and Chemistry Flaming."
聙Nov. 30, 9:30 a.m. Duane Physics room G-030, Professor Paul Beale of physics on "Time and Clocks."
聙Dec. 28, 9:30 a.m., Chemistry room 140, Professor David Nesbitt of chemistry-biochemistry, JILA and NIST on "Chemistry and Change."
聙Jan. 25, 1997, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G-030, physics Professor Jim Faller, also of JILA and NIST on "The Physics of Sports."
聙Feb. 22, 9:30 a.m., Chemistry room 140, Professors Tarek Sammakia and Gordon Yee of chemistry-biochemistry on "Polymers, Foams and Gels."
聙March 29, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G-030, Professor Dana Anderson of physics and JILA on "Light, Color and Lasers."
聙April 26, 9:30 a.m., Chemistry room 140, Professor Kathy Rowlen of chemistry-biochemistry on "Wintergreen Lifesavers, Fireflies and Molecules."
聙May 31, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G-030, Professor Noel Clark of physics and Chris Conery of the Broomfield High School science faculty on "Liquid Crystals."
聙June 21 (third Saturday), 10 a.m., Fiske Planetarium, Professor Katy Garmany of JILA on "The Sky Tonight."
The Euclid Avenue Autopark and lot 360 next to Duane Physics will be open to visitors for $1 per hour except on Oct. 26. All campus parking meters are enforced seven days a week between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m
Anyone with special needs or disabilities is asked to notify the physics department at (303) 492-6952 a few days in advance of the show. For general information about the CU Wizard schedule and locations call (303) 492-4318.