Physics in Films - A Blockbuster Class at UCF
by Sae Schatz

ORLANDO, May 2004 -- Popular films are featured in a new series of general education physics courses offered at the University of Central Florida. The idea to organize a science class around films came from Assistant Professor of Physics Costas Efthimiou and Physics Chair Ralph A. Llewellyn. They were motivated to create the classes when they learned that nearly 50% of all Americans do not know simple science facts, such as how long the Earth takes to orbit the sun or whether dinosaurs and humans lived at the same time. Efthimiou and Llewellyn also found that in addition to a lack of knowledge many students lack interest in science.

To combat disinterest, while giving students a good education, the two professors developed the "Physics in Film" course. The course uses Hollywood movies to introduce the science behind mechanics, fluids, sound, thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism. Some variations on the course have focused on different "flavors" of movies, such as films with superhero content, films with pseudoscientific content, and sci-fi/action films. Plans have also been developed to create additional flavors: modern physics, astronomy, pseudo-science, and metaphysics.

During each course, the instructor shows scenes from popular films and discusses their fundamental physics principles. For example, Efthimiou discusses the law of gravity as it is (mis)used in Independence Day, and he explains conservation of momentum by using Tango and Cash.

The UCF Physics Department has been offering the "Physics in Film" course since summer 2002. Since it began the course has been cited in many local and national publications, such as the Institute of Physics' "PhysicsWeb" and The Dallas Morning News. Efthimiou and Llewellyn have diligently collected student evaluations of the course, as well as student performance records. They found that students not only enjoy the course more than the standard "Physical Science" class but that the students perform about 10% better on exams in the "Physics in Film" course.

Efthimiou and Llewellyn plan to continue to develop the "Physics in Films" courses and concept. In particular, they want to improve the courses so that students appreciate physical science more. Ultimately, Efthimiou and Llewellyn intend to create "packages" of the various "Physics in Films" courses that can be used by other institutions, along with a new "Physics in Films" textbook, which Efthimiou and Llewellyn are currently developing.

Efthimiou and Llewellyn envision the use of films applied to other general education classes, such as:

• Mathematics in Films: Pi, Good Will Hunting, Pay it Forward, Contact;
• Astronomy/Astrophysics in Films: Armageddon, Deep Impact, Contact;
• Biology in Films: Spiderman, The Hulk, Planet of the Apes, Jurassic Park;
• Chemistry in Films: Flubber, Year of the Comet;
• Engineering in Films: Armageddon, The Bridge on the River Kwai;
• Archeology/Anthropology in Films: Indiana Jones trilogy, Jurassic Park;
• Computers in Films: The Net, Independence Day, War Games;
• Philosophy in Films: Blade Runner, Matrix, Terminator trilogy, Ghost;
• History in Films: Braveheart, Patriot, The Man in the Iron Mask;
• Law in Films: Erin Brockovich, The Firm, Legally Blond, Primal Fear; and
• Forensic Science in Films: Jennifer 8, Murder by the Numbers, Bone Collector.

Costas Efthimiou specializes in mathematical physics. He received his doctorate from Cornell University, and has taught at Cornell, Tel Aviv University, Harvard University, and Columbia University. He joined the UCF Physics Department in August 2000.

Ralph A. Llewellyn's interests include beta and gamma ray spectroscopy, environmental radioactivity, and energy systems. He earned his doctorate from Purdue University. Before coming to the University of Central Florida in 1980, he was a faculty member and chair of the Physics Departments at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Indiana State University. He was also Executive Secretary of the Board on Energy Studies and Staff Officer of the Environmental Studies Board at the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council.

For more information on "Physics in Films" contact the Department of Physics at 407-823-2325 or www.physics.ucf.edu.

DATE
May 17, 2004

CONTACT
Costas Efthimiou
407-823-0179
costas@physics.ucf.edu

Ralph A. Llewellyn
407-823-5785
ral@physics.ucf.edu

DOWNLOADS
Efthimiou and Llewellyn. "Cinema As A Tool For Science Literacy," 16 Apr 2004 (PDF)

LINKS
Physics Dept.
Efthimiou's Homepage
PhysicsWeb Article