The science of physics today is as current as the morning newspaper. Indeed, as a result of new advances in physics and their rapid application to inventions designed to satisfy man' s wants, the world itself has been changing rapidly. Space technology, industrial technology, and the technology of the home, the farm, the office, the bank, and the department store have all been revolutionized. Clearly, every grown-up today would understand the world he lives in much better if he knew something about physics. Whether it is Congress voting huge sums of money for new warships, space exploration, or atomic energy, the office staff learning to use a new computer, son Bobby wanting to know about going to the moon or the housewife learning to operate a new electric stove, physics seems to be everywhere. Teachers in thousands of schoolrooms in America are trying to communicate some of the excitement and importance of these new developments to their students. They know that some of their eager students will someday be scientists and willthemselvesthen contribute to the development of new knowledge or its application to new things. But in any case, they can be sure that if they bring a knowledge of science (any science) to their students in meaningful and interesting ways, they have contributed much to helping each one live a more meaningful life. |