May’s Science on Tap to examine the physics portrayed in movies such as ‘Apollo 13’
(Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2022)
When Austin Peay State University’s Science on Tap returns to Strawberry Alley Ale Works on May 3, APSU professors will continue their examination of how Hollywood blockbuster movies portray science.
This time, Dr. B. Alexander King III will examine how basic physics principles are depicted in the movies, including how Hollywood sometimes gets the science right, such as in the 1995 film “Apollo 13.”
“I’m going to talk about a variety of movies, including ‘Apollo 13,’ and how the basic physics is either right or wrong,” said King, chair of the Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy.
King’s presentation – “The Science of Space in the Movies” – will start at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, in Upstairs at Strawberry Alley.
Continuing the theme
In March, Dr. Catherine Haase, Dr. Kallina Dunkle and Phil Roberson explored the science depicted in 1993’s “Jurassic Park.” And in April’s lecture, Dr. Matthew Jones examined how the 2011 film “Moneyball” portrays sabermetrics – the analysis of baseball statistics.
Last fall, Haase – professor in Austin Peay’s Department of Biology – taught an honors-level class that investigated the science portrayed in blockbuster Hollywood movies. Students used critical thinking to analyze how the science in the movies stacked up to real science.
Science on Tap meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month during the academic year, bringing together two great things: science and local brews.
Science on Tap is hosted by Austin Peay’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
News Feed
View All News
Mary Lee McCreary Rugraff ('41) attended Austin Peay State College on a music scholarship and performed as a soprano soloist. Music was her lifetime passion, and in addition to funding APSU music scholarships, she supported the music program at her church with gifts to the endowment.
Read More
The award from the Tennessee Department of Education will provide funding for teacher apprentices through July 2027. The Grow Your Own Teacher Residency provides a no-cost pathway to a teaching career and was named the first federally-registered teacher apprenticeship in the nation.
Read More
The naming recognizes the Millan Foundation's transformational gift-in-place donation--APSU's first privately-funded donation of this type--which will expand the food pantry's capacity to serve 35% more students facing food insecurity.
Read More