[News-releases] TRIUMF Provides High School Students a new Perspective on Physics with Instructional DVD

[Tim Meyer]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TRIUMF PROVIDES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PHYSICS

Instructional Physics DVD to be distributed to high schools across Canada

(Vancouver, B.C.) — TRIUMF, Canada's national laboratory for particle and
nuclear physics, today announced its Physics In Action DVD at the BC Science
Outreach Fair in Vancouver.  The educational series, which is designed for
Grade 12 Physics students, consists of six animated/live-action video
sessions on a number of key physics concepts which will help students better
understand the Universe, the environment we live in, and the physics that
describes it all. TRIUMF is ready to distribute the free DVD to 2,600 high
schools in Canada.

"TRIUMF is committed to ensuring Canadian youth are the best-educated on the
planet. The Physics In Action lesson series teaches students about the
physical sciences and shows them that physics, in addition to being fun and
exciting, can lead to rewarding careers in Canada's emerging knowledge-based
economy," says Nigel Lockyer, Director, TRIUMF. "As an award-winning Centre
of Excellence, TRIUMF attracts some of the world's best scientists to
conduct advanced physical and life sciences research at the Vancouver-based
facility. This is our opportunity to leverage our strengths to encourage
physics education."

Each lesson on the DVD uses different stages of TRIUMF's particle
accelerator to demonstrate clear and simple explanations of physics.  The
standard concepts of electricity, magnetism, potential and kinetic energy,
classical mechanics and forces are illustrated using the TRIUMF cyclotron
and other accelerators – technology that cannot be accessed in normal
classroom experience. 

"This DVD series is truly a unique way for TRIUMF to share its recognized
global expertise in the physical sciences to inspire students," mentions
Lockyer. "TRIUMF has a special interest in sharing our passion for physics
with youth because they are the future leaders who will achieve tomorrow’s
research breakthroughs. It's about sharing our global excellence and making
a local impact for our youth."

The DVD is the first in the series of three that will be produced over the
course of the next few years to cover additional topics, including the
history of the universe, the Big Bang Theory, and the formation of the
elements on earth.  Physics In Action is available to teachers across Canada
at no charge, by contacting TRIUMF by mail or via the TRIUMF website, at
http://www.triumf.info/physicsinaction.  

The Physics In Action DVD was made possible through the support of NSERC
PromoScience, TRIUMF, and the Vancouver Foundation. The TRIUMF DVD team was
led by Dr. Marcello M. Pavan of TRIUMF, produced by A. Ross Belyea, and
included consultation with many scientists and engineers at TRIUMF as well
as a dozen high-school science teachers from around British Columbia.

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MEDIA CONTACTS 

For more information or an interview with a spokesperson from TRIUMF, please
contact Whitney.

Whitney Stanford
Hill & Knowlton
Tel: 604-692-4223
E-mail: whitney.stanford at hillandknowlton.ca 


BACKGROUND:

TRIUMF is Canada's national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics.
Based in Vancouver, the facility is a world–class physics research
laboratory. TRIUMF hosts scientists from around the globe who conduct
fundamental research in advanced materials, life sciences, particle and
nuclear physics to understand the building blocks of our world. TRIUMF is
funded by a contribution via National Research Council Canada, support from
the Province of British Columbia and commercialization of research at the
facility. It is jointly operated by seven Canadian universities, University
of Alberta, University of British Columbia, Carleton University,
l’Université de Montréal, Simon Fraser University, University of Toronto,
University of Victoria.  See http://www.triumf.ca.  



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Timothy I. Meyer, Ph.D.
Head, Strategic Planning and Communications
TRIUMF
4004 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 2A3
Tel: 604-222-7674
E-mail: tmeyer at triumf.ca
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