Introducing Physics Unlimited's Moonshot Program

As part of our nonprofit's efforts to engage students in the US and around the world in learning physics through innovative practices and to supplement their classroom instruction (or lack thereof, as is the case in 40% of US high schools that do not offer physics classes), we have organized a virtual summer program this past August, consisting of two parts: a summer school and a summer camp. The former constituted a three-week series of nine custom-designed innovative lessons in general physics, hosted by three volunteer instructors - students from Harvard and UC Berkeley - live via Zoom and recorded for students from different time zones. The latter involved a series of over twenty facilitator-led online networking sessions for participants from nine countries, in addition to career panels. Our free pilot program was well-received, and we plan to organize new iterations of our Moonshot curriculum specifically targeting underrepresented groups, including incarcerated learners at correctional facilities. More information about Physics Unlimited can be found at physicsu.org.