March 22, 2005

Shimer Students and Faculty to Visit Argonne National Laboratories

Shimer students currently taking Natural Sciences 4 (Science in the 20th Century) and faculty members teaching the course will visit Argonne National Laboratories on April 6. Located on 1,500 wooded acres in DuPage Country, about 25 miles southwest of Chicago's Loop, Argonne is one of the U.S. Department of Energy's largest research centers. It is also the nation's first national laboratory, chartered in 1946.

For many students, the Argonne trip is the highlight of Nat Sci 4, 'Quantum Physics and Philosophy' according to faculty member Jim Donovan.  During the visit, students tour the facilities, gain perspective on 21st century research, and talk with scientists about their work.  The trip is an ideal complement to Nat Sci 4, a course that acquaints students with the key scientific developments of the 20th century.  In class they learn not only the facts of modern science, but also, according to Donovan, 'enough of its processes and language that they can converse with current researchers about the latest developments.'   

For further information about trips to Argonne National Laboratories, please contact Jim Donovan.