The Department of Physics in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences hosted more than 100 second graders from Mansfield Elementary on March 12. They conducted various physics experiments and activities in the renovated physics studio classrooms in the Gant Complex.  

The goal of the event was to expose young minds to different aspects of physics and stimulate interest in the field, said Instructor-in-Residence of Physics Sarah Trallero, who organized the visit. The students worked on activities at six different stations related to waves and vibration, measurement and motion, electromagnetism, optics and light, energy and power, and stars and space. 

“This is especially valuable to children who may not have access or ability to visit places such as this,” Trallero says. “The children will be able to engage in hands-on equipment and activities not available to most public schools.” 

Trallero had support from physics faculty Jason Hancock, Carlos Trallero, and Jonathan Trump, as well as physics graduate students and staff, in pulling off the four-hour event.