Physics in Focus
Igniting Curiosity Across Kansas and BeyondAt its heart, science is a conversation, and we’ve been taking that conversation on the road. Our department is dedicated to more than just high-level research and teaching in the hallways of Cardwell Hall; we are committed to being a spark for the Kansas community. By bringing hands-on experiments and demos to students of all ages, we’re breaking down the barriers to STEM and showing that anyone can be a scientist.
The energy of the 2025 and 2026 K-State Open Houses were electric as visitors of all ages explored the hallways and lawn of Cardwell Hall. Emeritus Distinguished Professor Chris Sorensen stole the shows with his signature demo performances, while our faculty and students turned complex theories into "wow" moments. We hope you'll join us for the 2027 Open House next year in April to see the magic for yourself!
Our commitment to the next generation of scientists starts early. We’ve had a blast bringing sensory-driven science to the youngest explorers at the Wonder Workshop Science Club and the Cool Care Club. Whether it's preschoolers witnessing the "egg-in-a-bottle" mystery or older students exploring the world through infrared cameras, we love helping local classrooms discover the magic of physics in everyday life.
To foster these connections, our faculty, undergraduate students, and graduate students have hosted several groups on campus and visited many more in their own classrooms. We’ve enjoyed engaging with bright young minds at Theodore Roosevelt, Ogden Elementary, Amanda Arnold Elementary, Susan B. Anthony and Eisenhower Middle Schools, Manhattan High School, and Rural Vista ...just to name a few!
Last July, we participated in Grandparents University again, a collaboration with the College of Education that reached a literal "breaking point." Families watched in awe as a physics professor shattered a cinderblock over a student’s stomach—a striking demonstration of Newton’s First Law in action. Similarly, our participation in Kansas 4-H Discovery Days the past two years provided teens with a hands-on look at potential career paths, empowering the next generation of Kansas leaders through interactive exploration.
Our reach extends far beyond Manhattan. Graduate students Luka Dvaladze and Paul Onu brought the "heat and thrust" to Colby, Kansas, last summer for the Rocks & Rockets festival. We brought back the popular fire extinguisher rocket cart and a bicycle wheel gyroscope to this event—organized by Sara Lamm (sister of alum Hank Lamm, ’11). This event is a vital link to Western Kansas.
Closer to home, strategy met science during the Kansas State Winter Chess Tournament, sanctioned by the Kansas Scholastic Chess Association and the United States Chess Federation. Held in January, the event was organized by graduate research assistant Eric Mullins and math professor Gabe Kerr, bringing together K-12 students for a fantastic display of skill and sportsmanship.
The spring Chester Peterson Lecture offered an unforgettable opportunity for area high schoolers to tour several K-State College of Arts & Science STEM departments and hear from Nobel laureate Eric Cornell. In a truly unique experience, the students shared lunch with Dr. Cornell to discuss the realities of life as a world-renowned scientist and sat front row at his Peterson lecture.
Meanwhile, University Distinguished Professor Bharat Ratra continues to represent K-State on the world stage. As the recent recipient of the APS Lilienfeld Prize, Bharat’s expertise in dark energy is always in high demand.
Whether we are shattering cinderblocks for families, racing rocket carts across Kansas, or discussing the expansion of the universe in Europe, our mission remains the same: to share the wonder of discovery. These stories of outreach and achievement are a testament to a department that believes science belongs to everyone. As we look toward the future—and the upcoming visit from a Nobel laureate—we remain dedicated to fostering the curiosity that will one day reshape our world.