FROM ATOMS
TO RACE CARS
Onekama Physics Students Tour MSU and FSU Science Programs
In her continued efforts to help
her students make sense of the complex information in the pages of their
Physics textbooks, Onekama High School teacher Laurie Blevins planned a
unique field trip.
During a very full day, OHS Physics students were given insight into two
different aspects of the field – from the study of microscopic particles
of nuclear physics, to the design of Formula One racing cars by
mechanical engineers. The field trip took place on Tuesday, April 3,
2012, and included stops at two Michigan universities.
The day began at Michigan State University with a tour of the National
Superconducting Cyclotron Lab (NSCL). NSCL is a world-leading laboratory
for rare isotope research and nuclear science education. The facility
serves more than 700 researchers from 100 institutions in 35 countries.
[Picture from NSCL website -- Norval Mercer (middle) with Henry Blosser
(right), work on the K50 cyclotron in the mid-1960's.]
Nuclear physics research began at MSU in 1958. Students learned about
the major contributions that have been made in the fields of nuclear
structure, nuclear astrophysics, heavy-ion reaction mechanisms,
accelerator physics, beam dynamics and experimental techniques. NSCL
also is the source of innovations that improve lives, including nuclear
therapy for cancer patients.
At NSCL, Onekama students were led into a large auditorium by their tour
guide, Zach Constan, who took them on a fascinating journey of the
history and future of nuclear science at MSU. The presentation was
interactive and engaging -- complete with liquid nitrogen being thrown
out on the floor at the feet of the students and poured over a piece of
ceramic. The ceramic is normally not charged, but when “super-cooled,”
it became magnetic and Zach “floated” a metal disc above it, to the
students’ amazement.
“The cyclotron is an atom smasher, and creates rare isotopes that don’t
exist in nature,” explained OHS Junior Kelly Koon. “This also helps
create other important advancements in many fields -- like cell phone
memory chips, and x-rays.”
Added Junior Emily Barnard, “When we saw all the giant magnets and
detectors and accelerators, it was so crazy to think about how those
enormous machines are necessary to move and study particles that we
can’t even see with microscopes. I have been contemplating research
Chemistry and possibly Physics as a future career, and it was
interesting to meet people who are actually in that line of work.”
After the dynamic demonstration in which students learned about particle
beams being produced, accelerated, smashed, and eventually captured and
studied, they were able to tour the facility which employs over 500
people.
“It was immense and awe-inspiring to see the sheer size of the
superconducting magnets and traps which are used to conduct these
amazing experiments with particles that are travelling at over half the
speed of light and are so very tiny,” said Blevins.
“I was hoping that, if nothing else, my students would be exposed to a
part of science they knew little about, but is becoming a very hot topic
for continued research in our ever-changing world,” added Blevins,
discussing her goals for the field trip. “Quantum Physics is a very
exciting field right now, and with the LHC in Europe and talk of the
‘God’ particle existence, I want my students to be critical thinkers who
have had exposure to as much ground-breaking science that is virtually
in their backyard, so to speak, in being at MSU.”
The next stop for the day was Ferris State University, with a visit to
their Mechanical Engineering Technology Department. The director there,
Dr. Charles Drake, graciously greeted students in one of his design
classrooms and introduced them to several students who are members of
the Formula Car Design Team.
Alex Backe, a junior design team member, showed the students a block of
aluminum he was using to design a bracket for the wheels of the car. The
part was already half-machined out of the block, and he used his design
software to show the students how he could analyze everything about the
part before he decided on the machining.
Next, students were invited to visit the lab where the Formula Car was
being assembled. There, they met more Ferris students working on the
team. They discussed their design and the upcoming competition in May at
MIS Speedway, where college teams from all over the world will compete
for the top Formula Car design for the year.
Onekama students were fascinated by the use of technology in the design
and creation of the cars. “I really enjoyed learning about the Formula
One car at Ferris,” said Onekama Senior Cordell Williams. “It was neat
seeing the shop where they worked on the cars for the competition. I
really want to go into engineering someday.”
“With my Mechanical Engineering background, I thoroughly enjoyed and
could appreciate what these students at Ferris are accomplishing,”
stated Blevins. “I was excited to be able to expose my students to this
type of hands-on engineering where the students are using the best that
technology has to offer for design and then having the opportunity to
build everything themselves.”
“The pride and enthusiasm the Ferris engineering students had for their
project was evident,” continued Blevins, “and it was an exceptional
experience for my Physics students to witness.”
Blevins plans to help her students continue to follow the progress of
the Ferris team. She is planning an additional field trip in May to see
the competition and let the OHS students cheer for their new friends.
The field trip left a lasting impression on Blevin’s students. OHS
Junior Elizabeth Bergren summed up the day’s events: “All of the
people’s passion and excitement for what they are doing will not be
forgotten . . . do something you love, that was the lesson of the day!”
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