Professor Adam Beehler: Making Physics Come Alive
Table of Contents
- 1. Professor Adam Beehler: Making Physics Come Alive
- 2. Hands-On Learning at the University of Utah
- 3. From Shrink-Wrapping students to floating Classrooms
- 4. Harnessing the Power of Lightning
- 5. What inspired Professor Beehler’s hands-on approach to teaching physics?
- 6. Professor Adam Beehler: Bringing Physics to Life Through Electrifying Demonstrations
- 7. An Exclusive Interview with the University of utah’s Master of Hands-On Physics
- 8. Q: Professor Beehler, your teaching style is anything but conventional. What inspired you to take such a hands-on approach to physics education?
- 9. Q: Your course, ‘The Way Things Work,’ is legendary at the University of Utah. can you tell us more about how you design these demonstrations?
- 10. Q: You’ve mentioned that physics can seem like magic.How do you help students move from that sense of wonder to a deeper understanding of the science?
- 11. Q: Your demonstrations frequently enough involve students directly.How do they react to being part of these experiments?
- 12. Q: What advice would you give to educators who want to incorporate more hands-on learning into their classrooms?
- 13. Q: if you could design the ultimate physics demonstration,what would it be?
- 14. Join the Conversation
Professor Adam Beehler isn’t your typical physics professor. Forget dry lectures and intricate equations; Beehler’s classroom is a stage for electrifying demonstrations that bring scientific principles to life.
Hands-On Learning at the University of Utah
At the University of Utah, Beehler wears manny hats. He’s the curator of the university’s vast collection of demonstration equipment, a go-to resource for instructors seeking to add a spark to their lessons, and the mastermind behind his own unique course: “the Way Things Work”. This captivating class is essentially a physics show-and-tell, where Beehler utilizes surprising and engaging demos to illustrate basic concepts.
From Shrink-Wrapping students to floating Classrooms
Beehler’s teaching methods are nothing short of theatrical. To demonstrate atmospheric pressure, he boldly encases a student (head excluded!) in a plastic bag, dramatically evacuating the air inside. For a lesson on Pascal’s Principle, which explains how pressure in a confined liquid is uniformly transmitted, he sends a student soaring across the classroom floor on a leaf-blower-powered hovercraft. The visual impact is undeniable.
Harnessing the Power of Lightning
But Beehler’s grand finale is truly electrifying.Holding two fluorescent tubes, he slowly approaches a towering Van de Graaff generator, culminating in a shower of loud, crackling bolts of purple lightning that illuminate the bulbs and transform him into a modern-day Zeus.The dramatic spectacle is accompanied by the iconic theme from ”2001: A Space Odyssey”, adding a layer of cinematic grandeur to the demonstration.
“Sometimes the students will think, ‘Oh, that’s magic,’ but physics seems like magic,” Beehler remarked. “Its just magic of the universe. It just naturally works that way.”
What inspired Professor Beehler’s hands-on approach to teaching physics?
Professor Adam Beehler: Bringing Physics to Life Through Electrifying Demonstrations
An Exclusive Interview with the University of utah’s Master of Hands-On Physics
In the world of physics education, professor Adam Beehler stands out as a trailblazer. Known for his theatrical teaching methods and captivating demonstrations, Beehler has transformed the way students experience science. We sat down with him to discuss his innovative approach, his passion for physics, and how he makes the subject come alive in the classroom.
Q: Professor Beehler, your teaching style is anything but conventional. What inspired you to take such a hands-on approach to physics education?
Professor Beehler: ”It all started with a simple realization: physics is everywhere,and it’s inherently fascinating. But customary lectures can sometimes make it feel abstract or intimidating. I wanted to bridge that gap by showing students how physics works in real, tangible ways. When you see a student’s eyes light up as they float across the room on a hovercraft or witness a lightning bolt illuminate a fluorescent tube, you know they’ve connected with the material on a deeper level.”
Q: Your course, ‘The Way Things Work,’ is legendary at the University of Utah. can you tell us more about how you design these demonstrations?
Professor Beehler: “The key is to make the invisible visible. Take atmospheric pressure, such as. It’s somthing we experience every day, but it’s hard to grasp conceptually. By shrink-wrapping a student in a plastic bag and evacuating the air, we create a visceral, unforgettable experience. Similarly,using a Van de Graaff generator to produce lightning bolts isn’t just about the ‘wow’ factor—it’s about showing how electric fields and energy transfer work in a way that’s unachievable to forget.”
Q: You’ve mentioned that physics can seem like magic.How do you help students move from that sense of wonder to a deeper understanding of the science?
Professor Beehler: “That’s a great question. I always tell my students that the magic of physics lies in its predictability. Once you understand the principles, you can predict outcomes with unbelievable accuracy. As an example, after the lightning presentation, we break down the science behind it—how the generator builds up charge, how the electric field ionizes the air, and why the tubes light up. It’s about taking that initial sense of wonder and channeling it into curiosity and critical thinking.”
Q: Your demonstrations frequently enough involve students directly.How do they react to being part of these experiments?
Professor Beehler: “It’s always a mix of excitement and nervousness, which I think is fantastic.When a student volunteers to be shrink-wrapped or ride the hovercraft, they’re not just passive observers—they’re active participants in the learning process. And that engagement sticks with them. I’ve had former students tell me years later that they still remember the principles we explored because they were part of the experience.”
Q: What advice would you give to educators who want to incorporate more hands-on learning into their classrooms?
Professor Beehler: “Start small and think creatively. You don’t need a Van de Graaff generator to make an impact. Simple, everyday objects can be powerful teaching tools. A balloon, a straw, or even a glass of water can illustrate fundamental concepts. The goal is to spark curiosity and encourage students to ask questions. When they’re curious, they’re engaged, and that’s when real learning happens.”
Q: if you could design the ultimate physics demonstration,what would it be?
Professor Beehler: “That’s a thought-provoking question! I think it would involve creating a full-scale,interactive model of the solar system,where students could physically move planets and see the effects on orbits and gravitational forces. It would combine physics,engineering,and a bit of theater to create an immersive experience that brings the cosmos into the classroom.”
Join the Conversation
What’s the most memorable science demonstration you’ve ever seen? How do you think hands-on learning can transform education? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
