If “Friday Night Science” is approaching Allan Hancock College at a steady rate of four times over the next four months, and you’re not there for any of those times, what are you missing?
“All of the fun of physics with none of the math,” Hancock physics instructor Rob Jorstad said in a statement.
Each night will kick off with a demonstration from biology instructor Mick Bondello, Jorstad, and their army of science technicians. After the demonstrations, attendees will be able to participate in any of the hundreds of hands-on experiments set up throughout the science building, which range in difficulty for all ages.
The free four-part event will take place on Feb. 25, March 11, April 8, and May 13 at 6:30 p.m. in room M-310 at the Santa Maria campus. Jorstad and Bondello received funding from a federal Title V grant designed to entice more kids to attend college.
Jorstad borrowed the idea from the community science events he attended while in college, which sparked his interest for science. And, he said in a statement, if it takes a 40-foot volcano eruption to make science exciting, then so be it.
“Our students will be able to experience what I love most about teaching: interacting with people and seeing the light bulbs go on when they realize, ‘Oh, that’s how that works,” Bondello said in the statement. He added that “it’s way better than anything on television and, best of all, it’ll make you think.”
For more information on the events, contact the college’s life and physical sciences department at 922-6966, Ext. 3202, or e-mail rjorstad@hancockcollege.edu.
This article appears in Feb 10-17, 2011.