I read about the Physics Show and it sounded like fun (warning: I am an old-school nerd), so I borrowed an eleven year old, enlisted a friend and his 14-year-old, and set off to Foothill. I expected some pretty neat science tricks, a few cheesy jokes, and a good time for kids and a slow show for adults, but surprise: it's a really cool show for "kids" of all ages.
We're not talking about a couple of tables in a conference room, we're talking about a real show in a real theater. Their premise: science can be entertaining. As Frank Cascarano, the lead physics instructor says, "If you can't have fun with physics, you aren't a very fun person."
And it is fun. Yes, there are some cheesy jokes (in a good way), but these are not dry, science presentations. These are solid, entertaining demos with, scaled for a theater, with just enough smoke and fire and hammers and clouds and noise. There's a skillful mix of what, how, why, and wow -- what happens, how we think about it and derive insight from what we observe, why it works, and wow, isn't that cool. It never became too pedantic or explainy. Easy to follow -- a big screen shows closeups of the action.
It's for kids but adults seemed to love it just as much. The 11- and 14-year-olds that came with us loved it and came away with some real lessons; but there was plenty that was engaging for the adults. Pretty much anyone who lives in this universe will learn something and have an opportunity to see life a little differently.
It's like a rock concert but for science. And the good news is that science fans get off pretty cheap: It's a mere $5 per person and you can get a t-shirt for $10 and a patch for $2. Proceeds go to a fund that lets them bus kids in from area Title I elementary schools to see the show for free.
It's offered a couple of times a year -- sign up on their website for an email newsletter to let you know when tickets are available. Get tickets early, as it sells out.
Be sure to park in Lot 1 for free parking.
Learn more: http://www.thephysicsshow.com/what-is-the-physics-show read more