Prof Quiz
Is it really fair that the professors usually get to ask all the questions? We say no. So every issue, we will give a professor a quiz of our own. It’s just our little attempt at a world of equity.
Name?
Eleanor Close
Official title?
Assistant Professor of Physics and Science Education
What is your favorite class to teach?
The intro sequence, because it’s really closely
related to everyday life.
Some people think that physics is scary. What do you think
is the scariest science?
Astrology. No, seriously - who says science
is scary? Skydiving is scary. Science is fun!
Which takes more guts: Teaching or giving birth
to twins?
Teaching. Giving birth to twins was no
problem! Teaching is a challenge every
day. You have to try to understand
what's going on in your 20-30 students'
minds - find out what they think, and
figure out what kind of learning
experience they need. That's why it
takes guts, and also why it's so much fun.
What is your secret talent?
I play a mean man-on-man defense
on the soccer field.
Are there any cultural myths about physics that
you would like to obliterate?
Yes! Some people believe that physics is all
abstract number-crunching and only for
super-smart or super-nerdy people. Not
true! Physics is about questions that most kids
ask, such as, `What is time?’ Everyone can
learn physics just like everyone can learn to
sing. And just like singing hymns can bring you
closer to God (even if you don't sing on key),
exploring questions about creation can bring
you closer to God (even if you're not a
“science person.")
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