Foothill Offers Physics for Poets Class to Commemorate Theory of Relativity

Everything You Wanted to Know About Einstein's Work but Were Afraid to Ask

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, Foothill College's popular Astronomy Instructor Andrew Fraknoi will teach PHYS 12: Physics for Poets—a non-technical course that introduces students to some of the most exciting areas of modern physics.

The five-unit course meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 5 through June 21, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The course's approach is non-mathematical, with humor, analogies and demonstrations. No background in science or math is required; the instructor specializes in explaining scientific ideas in everyday language.

You'll study key ideas that are the basis of our concepts of space, time, matter and energy, with a focus on what matter is really made of; modern theories of the atom; science of energy, heat, and the arrow of time; two great theories of relativity, with their mind-boggling new ideas of space, time, motion and gravity, including the strange things that can happen when one travels at speeds near the speed of light; how black holes work; quantum mechanics—the bizarre theory of the sub-atomic realm; and Einstein's life, thinking, and influence on science and culture.

The course will also look at the effects that such physics ideas have had on the humanities, including poetry, fiction, music, and the public view of scientists.

Einstein played a crucial role in establishing the two pillars of 20th century physics: he was the father of the theory of relativity and a major contributor to quantum theory. Touted as Einstein's Miracle Year, 1905 saw the pre-eminent physicist publish his first ideas on the theory of relativity.

Fraknoi is the chairman of the Foothill College Astronomy Department as well as the lead author of Voyages Through the Universe, one of the leading astronomy textbooks in the U.S. He appears regularly on local and national radio, bringing new developments in astronomy "down to earth." Recently, he became the first community college instructor to be voted a Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences.

Review the course syllabus. To register, access www.foothill.edu or call (650) 949-7325.

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More General Education Courses at Foothill Middlefield Campus

You can now enroll in sections of popular general education courses at the Foothill College Middlefield Campus in Palo Alto. Courses are offered weekday mornings from 8 – 11:50 a.m. For Spring Quarter, these courses include economics, English, English as a Second Language, math, painting, psychology, intermediate golf, yoga, weight training, health, Pilates and others. Located just minutes from Hwy. 101, the campus is near the intersection of Middlefield and San Antonio roads at 4000 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto, and is serviced by VTA Bus Route 35. For registration instructions, access www.foothill.edu or call (650) 949-7325.

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A NASA Internship Adds Value to Your Education & Resume

The Work Experience of a Lifetime
If you want to add even more value to your college education and professional resume, take advantage of the unique relationship Foothill College enjoys with the NASA Ames Research Center. A NASA internship is an excellent educational experience for students of all majors — from business and computer programming to marketing and biology, and more. Internship positions also pay an education stipend. Internship applications are accepted on an ongoing basis for positions that begin in April, July and January. Learn more at the Foothill-De Anza NASA Ames Internship Program Web site at or call (650) 604-5560.

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