Spring is back! And with it comes a wonderful influx of warm weather. The birds are singing and the flowers are blooming. But those aren’t the only signs of spring. For those of us in the SPS chapter at the University of New Mexico (UNM), spring means demos. Once again, this spring we held a physics demo show on campus to share our favorite subject with others.

We hold demo shows twice a year to show UNM students and our local community the wonders of physics. The topics range from Newtonian mechanics to superconductivity, anything covered in our introductory sequence of physics classes. This spring our demos included a Tesla coil, human gyroscope, Rubens tube, rocket car, and a giant Newton’s cradle, among many others. And, like always, we finished with a bang—generated by an imploding barrel!

Audiences love our shows, but they’re not the only ones. Participating SPS members are always grinning ear to ear after this fun evening. “It was a great production,” says Ethan Sloan, SPS chapter president, when reflecting on our recent show. “We had a lot of fun! I’m looking forward to future performances.”

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SPS presenters illustrate classical mechanics using a rocket car.

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A Rubens tube steals the show. Photos courtesy of the chapter.

Get Money for Chapter Outreach Events

Marsh White Awards of up to $500 are available for chapter programs or events that promote an interest in physics or astronomy among students or the general public. Applications are due November 15. Learn more at spsnational.org/awards/marsh-white.

Future Faces of Physics Awards of up to $500 are available for chapter programs or events that promote physics and astronomy across cultures. Applications are due November 15. Learn more at spsnational.org/awards/future-faces.