New Enrico Fermi DVD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENew Enrico Fermi DVD Now Available from AAPT
Rare Footage Highlights Famous Physicist and His Colleagues
College Park, Maryland, United States, September 13, 2007
The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT; http://www.aapt.org) is pleased to announce that it has obtained exclusive distribution rights to a DVD containing two prize-winning physics films. The World of Enrico Fermi features rare views of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi and his work as he moves from Rome to Chicago to Los Alamos, and as he interacts with such great 20th century scientists as Niels Bohr, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, and Robert Oppenheimer in making fundamental contributions to both theoretical and applied physics. People and Particles follows a group of Harvard University professors and graduate students for more than two years as they design an experiment, construct the needed apparatus, and begin taking data. This is the first time that these two films have become available on DVD since they were made by Project Physics at Harvard University in the 1960’s.
Through the generosity of Dr. F. James Rutherford, Chief Education Officer Emeritus of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), AAPT is able to offer this documentary DVD to special sectors of its membership. As of July 1, 2007, individuals who contribute to AAPT at the Bohr-Rutherford level (a contribution of $500-$999), will receive a Collector’s Edition of the DVD, and all high school teachers, undergraduate teachers, and students who become members for the first time will be offered an educational version as a gift. A limited quantity the DVDs are now available through AAPT’s online store for $15.99 for AAPT members and $19.99 for non-members. All proceeds will benefit the F. James Rutherford Endowment, which will support an initiative—now being developed in collaboration with Rutherford—for advancing physics education.
“I am delighted that thanks to AAPT this important product of Project Physics will now become widely available to teachers and students of physics,” said Dr. Rutherford, “and all the more so to the degree it will contribute to an increase of AAPT membership and member contributions.”
“For its part, AAPT is very pleased to share these rare and informative documentaries as a gift for our newest members and we are pleased to offer them for sale to the public as well,” said Toufic Hakim, AAPT Executive Officer. “They offer a fantastic educational tool for educators and a wonderful opportunity for everyone to experience these terrific films. We welcome the establishment of the F. James Rutherford Endowment through this project and hope this effort sets a new model for others leading educators to consider.”
About Enrico Fermi
The Italian-American physicist Enrico Fermi (1901-1954) is most noted for his theoretical contributions to the development of quantum theory, particle physics, and statistical mechanics, and for his central role in the development of the first experimental nuclear reactor. In 1938, he won the Nobel Prize for Physics for his work on induced radioactivity.
About Project Physics
With funding from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Office of Education, and private foundations, Project Physics was established at Harvard University in 1964 under the leadership of professors Gerald Holton, F. James Rutherford, and the late Fletcher G. Watson. Involving high school and college physics teachers from all over the country, historians and philosophers of science, curriculum specialists, graphic artists, film makers, and educational researchers, in six years the project developed and field tested an interconnected set of print, visual, and laboratory instructional materials. The World of Enrico Fermi and People and Particles were among them.
About F. James Rutherford
In his long career, Dr. Rutherford has served as a high school teacher of physics, an associate professor of education at Harvard University, a professor and head of science and mathematics education at New York University, as assistant director of the National Science Foundation, as the first assistant secretary for research at the U.S. Department of Education, and as chief education officer and originator of Project 2061 at AAAS. Among his honors is the distinguished service medal of AAPT.
About AAPT
AAPT is the leading organization for physics educators—with more than 11,500 members worldwide. Our mission is to advance the greater good through physics education. We provide our members with many opportunities for professional development, communication, and student enrichment. We serve the larger community through a variety of programs and publications. AAPT was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in the American Center for Physics in College Park, Maryland.
For More Information
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