Penn Summer Experimental Physics Research Academy

July 5 - July 31, 2010

Have you ever taken a ride on a rollercoaster and wondered how many Gs your body experienced at the bottom of the big drop? If so, the four-week, non-credit Physics Academy is for you.

Taught by members of Penn’s Department of Physics and Astronomy and other regional physics teachers, this program combines in-depth lectures and discussions on mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum dynamics, and astrophysics with hands-on experiments to measure the speed of light and a field trip to an amusement park to study the physics of rides using electronic data-logging devices.

Other activities include an afternoon at Penn’s indoor rock-climbing wall to learn first-hand about how best to use friction to counteract the force of gravity as well as a tour of the Franklin Institute planetarium and observatory.

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