| It
was a dark and stormy night. The sky over Washington looked angry
and threatening. Suddenly a bright flash lit up the sky. “What
was that?” asked Mr. Congressman. “That was from plasma”
answered Young Staffer. “Who is plasma? Is he from my District?”
asked Mr. Congressman. “Plasma’s not a Who,” answered
Y.S., “it’s a What. Plasma is the stuff that makes up
most of our visible universe. It’s critical in manufacturing
things we use every day, like computers, and someday it will generate
huge amounts of electricity in fusion power plants. Plasmas are
critical to a number of industries that are important to the economy.
You’re probably not familiar with plasma since it is not widely
taught in schools.” “Well, how do you know so much about
plasma?” asked Mr. Congressman. “I’ve been going
to a series of barbeque lunches with educational talks about plasmas
sponsored by the Coalition for Plasma Science,” said Young
Staffer. “The Coalition also has a great website aimed at
nontechnical people like you and me, and it puts out a series of
short write-ups on different types of plasmas.” “Barbeque!”
said Mr. Congressman. “Tell me more.”
Well then, here’s some more:
First of all, Mr. Congressman, you’re not alone. Outside the
technical community, most people don’t know anything about
plasmas. They don’t know what a plasma is; they don’t
know where plasmas are found, either in nature or in applications;
and they don’t know about the importance of plasmas to their
lives and to the economy. At the present time when someone encounters
the term “plasma,” he or she often thinks of blood plasma
– or nothing at all. Plasma as an ionized gas, the fourth
state of matter, is a new concept for many people.
Many of those most unfamiliar with plasmas are people who are important
to the field of plasma science. These include:
• Government policy-makers in Washington, DC, who determine
research funding;
• Members of the media, who provide information to the general
public and can affect the public’s attitudes (which in turn
can influence research funding levels and priorities);
• K-12 teachers, who can educate, influence, and inspire their
students to become the future plasma researchers and engineers;
• K-12 students, who may work in this field someday or may
become the government policy-makers, teachers, or members of the
media.
The lack of knowledge about plasma impedes education, support for
basic research, and the pace of technological innovation in the
field.
The Coalition for Plasma Science (CPS) has been formed to help solve
this problem for a broad range of plasma science interests. CPS
works to educate nontechnical people about plasmas in order to increase
public awareness and understanding of plasma science and its many
applications and benefits for society. Its audience includes all
the groups listed above. The Coalition introduces that audience
to the wide range of natural and man-made plasmas and to their importance.
CPS’s goal is to have a significant impact on plasma education
and on the public and Congressional awareness of plasma science.
The Coalition’s membership is made up of universities, national
laboratories, companies and professional organizations that are
concerned in some way with plasmas.
CPS carries out various activities and events. The following are
some of those efforts -- some underway, others completed or planned.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
Among the current CPS activities and events are:
Capitol Hill Educational Luncheon Presentations
CPS presents educational talks for Members of Congress, their staffs
and other governmental representatives to help them understand the
everyday presence and importance of plasmas, and the possibilities
plasmas hold for the future. These talks have been held in the U.S.
Capitol Building and the House Office Buildings. Topics have included
Fusion, Plasma TV, Plasma Propulsion in Space, Environmental Applications,
the Aurora Borealis, Lightning and K-12 Plasma Education.
Web Site
The CPS web site (“plasmacoalition.org”) contains numerous
items about plasmas and about CPS. The information about plasmas
includes general introductory material, information about commercial
and industrial applications, and links to other plasma-related web
sites. Included in those links are the NPSS site, the NPSS Plasma
Science and Applications Committee (PSAC) site and PSAC’s
list of plasma conferences. The information about CPS includes its
mission, goals, meetings, membership requirements, events and activities,
web links to members’ sites, and its newsletter.
One important part of the web site is: A Teacher’s Guide to
Plasma Science Resources. This is a comprehensive list of plasma
education web sites, each rated against national science standards.
These sites are intended primarily to help K-12 teachers integrate
a study of plasmas into their curricula. Students enjoy the site
as well. With help from K-12 teachers the site is updated annually.
The site also contains a number of downloadable CPS-published items.
Some of these are described below. Numerous requests for hard copies
of these items are received for classroom use and for distribution
at tours of plasma-related facilities, as well as for personal use
and for science projects.
CPS Publications
CPS literature that can be downloaded from the web or requested
in hardcopy includes:
Two-Page Plasma Articles -- About Plasmas
CPS produces a series of brief two-page introductions to various
types of natural and man-made plasmas and plasma applications written
for nontechnical audiences. Currently available topics include Plasmas
for Welding, Plasma Display Panels, Cleaning the Environment, Destroying
Biological Hazards, Fusion, Lighting Plasmas, Lightning, and Space
Plasmas.
Educational Brochure and Poster -- Plasmas Are Everywhere
The two-sided tri-fold brochure includes on one side a large image
showing examples of plasmas in our universe, where they are found,
and how they are used in various technologies. That image is also
available as a poster.
Newsletter -- CPS Plasma Page
This semiannual newsletter reports on recent and future CPS activities,
with occasional features about specific plasma science and applications
topics. The complete archive can be found on the web site.
Science Fair Award
In 2005, CPS established an award for the best plasma-related project
at the annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
Judging assistance is provided by members of the plasma community,
including members of PSAC through the PSAC ExCom.
Inquiries and Requests
CPS typically receives a few questions each month regarding plasmas
via the CPS e-mail address or its toll-free phone number –
in addition to requests for copies of its educational literature
for distribution.
Coordination
The Coalition coordinates its activities with other organizations
in order to complement efforts and assist or join forces where appropriate.
For example, CPS co-sponsors and its members annually participate
in the American Physical Society - Division of Plasma Physics Science
Teachers Day and Plasma Sciences Expo - for middle and high school
teachers and their students. The free teacher training workshops
typically support about 100+ participants, while the Expo, filled
with hands-on demonstrations of plasma-related physics, attracts
1,000 – 2,500 students. CPS also coordinates efforts with
some CPS member organizations that are independently active with
educational and outreach activities. Occasionally CPS will suggest
to another organization an activity relevant to both that group’s
mission and CPS’s goals.
PAST CPS EVENTS AND PROJECTS
These include: a review of K-12 and college textbooks to determine
the extent to which plasmas are being introduced; a plasma exhibit
in the Rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill;
and a reception and interactive plasma exhibit with hands-on plasma
demonstrations in the Rayburn House Office Building.
CPS has also worked with ICOPS organizers to arrange special sessions
and events at their conferences. These include plenary panel sessions
at the 1999 ICOPS in Monterey and the 2000 ICOPS in New Orleans.
Those sessions addressed the importance of communicating about plasma
science to nontechnical audiences, and offered ways to do it effectively.
Also, with considerable support and assistance from the conference
organizers, receptions were held at both the Banff ICOPS in 2002
and the Baltimore ICOPS in 2004 to inform conference attendees about
the Coalition.
PLANNED PROJECT – State Science Education
Standards
Much of the general lack of knowledge about plasmas stems from the
absence of even the word “plasma” as the fourth state
of matter in K-12 curricula. CPS is initiating a review of the education
standards of all fifty states in an effort to get the topic –
or at least the word – inserted where it is missing.
CPS’s activities depend to a great extent on the interests
of the individuals involved, and the organization is open to new
ideas and suggestions. If you are interested in being involved and
you would like information on participating in an ongoing CPS activity,
or if you have a suggestion for a new activity, please contact the
author (g.rogoff@ieee.org).
The planned project to improve state science education standards
is one area where members of the technical community can help with
very little time obligation. Also, please contact the author if
you would like information on how your organization can become a
member of the Coalition.
Needless to say, at some point during this discourse, Mr. Congressman
hurried away to his office, presumably eager to look up the CPS
web site to learn how plasmas and the Coalition for Plasma Science
can help the voters in his District, the people of our great nation,
the U.S. and global economies, and our understanding of the vast
universe around us.
Gerry Rogoff, IEEE NPSS’s liaison to the Coalition for
Plasma Science, can be reached at g.rogoff@ieee.org.
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