The USC Physics Labs for Students in High School (PhLaSH) is a summer physics lab program designed specifically for high school students to experience the fun and challenge of doing hands-on science in a university lab setting.
The program was conceived in 1999, when a high school student telephoned Professor Gerd Bergmann, asking if there was any possible way she could work in his lab. Professor Bergmann and Ty Buxman, Director of Undergraduate Affairs, discussed possible ways to present interested high school students with the opportunity to gain hands-on lab experience and pursue their interest in physics. They designed the pilot program that ran for two weeks, including six lab sessions and no formal reports or grading. They wanted to make the student contact with USC Department of Physics and Astronomy as stimulating and non-threatening as possible. They sent out flyers to various local high schools promoting the program and received twice as many applicants as there were spots available.
Professor Bergmann taught the class of 12 students with four of his undergraduates assisting. Every student received personalized instruction. Professor Bergmann arranged different presentations every day for the students and also gave a short lecture at the end of each class. The time commitment was tremendous but, he feels, extremely worthwhile. The group of students was mixed, with some being far more advanced in their knowledge of physics. Professor Bergmann attributes this to the students coming from different high schools with varying levels of physics instruction. "Patience was the most difficult thing for many of the students to master," he said, smiling. "They have not yet learned that many experiments take time, the results are not instantaneous."
The student comments on the program demonstrate how successful it actually was. They include: "The program has certainly helped me decide which areas of education I will focus on in the future. In short, the PhLaSH program is unparalleled; and you can't beat the price!" "The PhLaSH program was a great experience for me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of it. I hope that the program continues to grow, so that other high school students will have this great opportunity."
On the whole, Professor Bergmann and the Department are very happy with the results of the pilot program and are looking for ways to continue and expand it.
Department of Physics & Astronomy / USC Physics & Astronomy Newsletters /