Physics + Astronomy News
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Skyler Hanson: Honors Student Highlight
Skyler Hanson started 2020 with eagerness and excitement for what was to come. She was entering her final undergraduate semester, taking classes she was interested in and passionate about while in line to graduate with Honors in spring.
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Physics, astronomy faculty are ready for classes to resume online
After a three-week break, UW-Eau Claire classes resume April 6 online because of COVID-19. The online format will continue at least through the spring semester. Faculty and staff in physics and astronomy say they are ready for the virtual format.
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Saturn’s upper atmosphere to be focus of March 12 ‘Ask a Scientist’ presentation
Jess Vriesema will present an overview of discoveries from NASA's recent Cassini mission beginning at 7 p.m. March 12 at the Acoustic Café in downtown Eau Claire. The event is free and open to all.
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'Ask a Scientist' series resumes Feb. 13 with new focus
The long-running campus/community series called "Ask a Scientist" launches its spring lineup with a new area partnership, a new coordinator and a renewed purpose — cutting through today's mixed messaging to bring facts and understanding to our community.
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UW-Eau Claire students, faculty to present ‘Dmitri’s Dream’
The story behind the Periodic Table of the Elements will be the focal point of “Dmitri’s Dream: Discovering the Alphabet of the Universe” on Dec. 3, a presentation of the UW-Eau Claire Art AND Science program.
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NSF grant to boost supercomputing at UW-Eau Claire
A recent $350,000 award from the National Science Foundation will more than double the high-performance computing capacity for faculty and students at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, but the grant’s impact will not stop there.
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Chinese language classes foster international friendships
UW-Eau Claire's Chinese language program brings together students and international students, fostering friendships and support systems that help the Blugolds improve their non-native language skills and understanding of new cultures.
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STEM students visit UK sites where historic scientific discoveries were made
Students often hear the story of Isaac Newton, developing the theory of gravity after an apple falls on his head as he sits in his garden in England. This summer, five Blugolds visited Newton’s apple tree as part of a STEM immersion class.
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Blugold Spotlight features Dr. Matt Evans
In this Blugold Spotlight, Dr. Matt Evans, professor of physics at UW-Eau Claire, talks about his involvement in various campus organizations and his passion for helping students see themselves in a different light.
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Prestigious fellowship opens doors for new grad
Michael McDonnell, a UW-Eau Claire physics and mathematics major, is among an elite group of students selected to receive a prestigious fellowship from the National Science Foundation.
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Compete for cash prizes and other perks
Working on a research project that could ultimately benefit society? Have a business idea that could become the next big idea? Compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to increase exposure for your concept at the UWEC Quick Pitch on May 1.
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'Color' to be theme of Art AND Science program exhibition, events
UW-Eau Claire’s Art AND Science program will present “Color,” an exhibition that will run Oct. 20-Nov. 15, and weekly events including individual performances, seminars and lectures.
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‘Towers’ of Blugold support: Residence hall renamed for generous alumni couple
Towers Hall, UW-Eau Claire's largest residence hall, became Karlgaard Towers on Sept. 29 in recognition of Marilyn and David Karlgaard, Blugold alumni whose history of giving to the UW-Eau Claire Foundation includes the largest sum in support of student scholarships in university history.
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Astronomy lovers plan for 'The Great American Eclipse'
A total solar eclipse will sweep across the United States for the first time in decades, creating what many astronomers are describing as the biggest astronomical event in the United States in many years. UW-Eau Claire will host an eclipse-viewing event from noon-2:30 p.m. Aug. 21 in the outdoor amphitheater in front of Davies Center. Astronomy faculty will have two or three telescopes set up for viewing. They also will have eclipse glasses (required for anyone viewing the partial or total eclipse) for visitors to use. They expect the best viewing in Eau Claire — maximum eclipse — to be a little after 1 p.m.
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Matt Evans named interim director of McNair Program
Dr. Matt Evans, professor of physics and astronomy, will serve as interim director of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program during the 2017-18 academic year.
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Blugolds build inexpensive, efficient solar-powered water heater
When Dr. Kim Pierson began teaching a new class about renewable energies, he used some inexpensive materials he found at a local store to build a small model of a solar thermal water heater that he could use in his laboratory. The UW-Eau Claire physics professor quickly realized that his model — if built to a much larger scale — actually has a lot of potential for use in the real world.
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Football and physics? Yep, it's a thing.
When family and friends gather to watch the Super Bowl Sunday most of them won’t really care about the actual game. After all, just two of the 32 NFL teams are still vying to be the 2017 champions. Still an expected 100 million+ people around the globe will watch Sunday’s game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots. Why? For Dr. Erik Hendrickson, he's drawn to not only the game itself but the fascinating physics that are on display during every play. The UW-Eau Claire physics professor breaks down the science behind those impossible-to-make passes or bone-crushing hits.
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Physics alumna tells how she became a NASA scientist
When students begin a life studying physics, the big dream out there is often NASA, as an astronaut, a researcher, an engineer. Susan Lederer had those same goals as a young Blugold. Read about how she made it all happen and now calls NASA home.
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Mara Reed reflects on NSE experience.
A double major in physics and geology, Mara Reed shares her experience in National Student Exchange, and lets students in those two busy majors know that it IS possible, and awesome!
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When people are the best facilities
Counted among the most important facilities for physics is the seminar room, a shared department space that allows for daily collaboration, mentoring, socializing and community among students and faculty.
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Honors senior completes his thesis
As the final requirement for honors graduation in physics and astronomy, senior Austin Riedl has presented his honors thesis research at CERCA.
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Art AND Science: Dedicated Desire and Unmatched Reason
As part of an ongoing effort at UWEC to increase cross-disciplinary engagement, faculty and students from English, Theatre and several science programs have developed an evening of dramatic readings and informative presentations that showcase humankind's creative journey of discovery — whether on a canvas, or a stage, in a laboratory or in the field. This year we will be presenting a reader’s theatre of excerpts from four different science plays, along with transitional contextual (“bridge”) explanations, all performed by students.
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Award winning alumni physics teacher looks back fondly
A physics education alumnus and 2013 recipient of a prestigious national scholarship gives us an update on his teaching experience and reflects on his Blugold degree.
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Why should I consider study abroad?
Physics major Claire Arneson gives a first-hand account of how her study abroad experience has impacted her academically and personally. The verdict? Worth every minute and penny, so read her story.