Computational Physics

This session will explore ways to help high school students understand the computing revolution in science and industry as an expression of physics knowledge and understanding using computers. The session will involve using a basic programming environment (called GameMaker) to produce simple physical systems that demonstrate fundamental physical ideas such as kinematics and motion under gravity. A key idea is that physics is composed of powerful yet simple ideas that can be relatively easily expressed mathematically which makes them ideal for computers. These simple physical models underpin the realistic physics engines essential for modern video games and computer animated film environments.

James Wadsley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at McMaster University. Dr. Wadsley is a computational astrophysicist who models galaxies, planets and stars and has lots of cool movies of computer simulations. He also teaches undergrad courses such as Scientific Computing and Computational Physics. Scientific Computing uses a hands-on format where students with no computer experience work in a computer lab applying basic programming to tackle science areas of their own choosing, such as oscillators, circuits, orbits, biological growth, weather and evolution. The idea is that you don't need special software to explore physics with a computer, just a good understanding of physics itself and some basic programming knowledge. These courses demonstrate the growing importance of computing in science and engineering including industrial research and design. It is critical that students understand that traditional sciences, such as math and physics, and engineering are the primary paths into these areas rather than IT (information technology or computer science).