Margaret Wegener | The University of Queensland, Australia (original) (raw)

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The Art of Physics

Physics can fascinate because of its aesthetics. We see possibilities for art in the artefacts of... more Physics can fascinate because of its aesthetics. We see possibilities for art in the artefacts of physics –
lab equipment, experimental results, theoretical models - in the artistic appeal of observed phenomena, beautiful objects used in doing physics, a pleasing curve that relates parameters ...
A scientist with a passion for art (MJ Wegener) and an artist with a passion for science (AK Milroy), we are collaboratively making original jewellery / art objects by re-purposing physics artefacts.
We call these souvenirs of the work of physicists, transformed into art, Labpunk.

Papers by Margaret Wegener

In 2014, the professional society of physicists in Australia themed their national conference "Th... more In 2014, the professional society of physicists in Australia themed their national conference "The Art of Physics" (Canberra, 7-11 December, 2014). The aim was to "stimulate diverse and creative participation in the Congress" and delegates were encouraged to be "adventurous" ("Australian Institute of Physics"). Wegener, a physicist with a deep interest in the arts, invited Milroy, an artist with a deep interest in science, to collaborate to produce a body of artistic work addressing the Congress theme. Their shared experiences as metalsmiths led to the idea to transform physics relics into wearable art and small sculptural objects. Wegener's respect for the artefacts of physics research had resulted in a collection of lab "junk." Making use of this variety of oddments stretched the knowledge and skill of the metalsmiths, who were forced in some cases to handle unfamiliar materials and to try new processes. The term "Labpunk" was coined to describe the resulting works of art and science. In addition to an exhibition of approximately 50 works during the Congress, individual pieces were commissioned as gifts for each of the nine plenary speakers (Figure ). Each gift was inspired by the research interests of the speaker. Throughout the collaboration the pair followed a fourfold aspiration: to create by making wearable works of art and small sculptural objects; to reflect on their practice with special attention to recording a dialogue between the science of physics and the art of metalsmithing and jewellery-making; to interact, by networking and engaging in discourse that spans cultural divides; and to address the finite through repurposing materials (Wegener & Milroy). For this article, Wegener and Milroy invited creative practice researcher, Holmes, to extend the collaboration. Initially Holmes was actively engaged "in conversation" with photographs and several physical Labpunk works, without any prior explanation by the duo. Once Holmes had made his observations, the artists added more information about each work, in terms of inspiration, technique, process, materials, recipient's reactions and so on. Holmes took on the role of provocateur, subsequently extending the discussion to incorporate an in-depth critique of some of the assumptions behind their aspirations, and to speculate on those works that aim to interpret and be inspired by physics as wearable art. The conversations were recorded and subsequently transcribed, edited and built on over multiple drafts, circulated by email and collaboratively negotiated. Specifically, the intent was to tease out issues of process, practice and knowledgemaking. The Labpunk works of art-science are, by nature, material inventions and thus require a process of material thinking as proposed by Carter. Nine works from the Labpunk art-science praxis form a framework for this conversation. To orient the reader, an assemblage of photographs of the nine commissioned works has been provided (Figure ).

Sometimes physics fascinates just because of its aesthetics. It could be the artistic appeal of a... more Sometimes physics fascinates just because of its aesthetics. It could be the artistic appeal of an experimental image, a beautiful object used in doing physics, a pleasing curve that relates parameters. The authors of this article see possibilities for art in the artefacts of physics - in bits of lab equipment, experimental results, and theoretical models. One is a scientist with a passion for art, the other an artist with a passion for science. Collaboratively they are making original works of art which may be worn as jewellery, or as enjoyed as sculpture, by re-purposing physics artefacts

International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 2016

We have developed an inquiry-based first-year undergraduate experiment to investigate heat transf... more We have developed an inquiry-based first-year undergraduate experiment to investigate heat transfer. Students consider the real-world problem of how the temperature inside a building is influenced by various factors. Students develop their understanding of heat transfer through scaffolding experiments, and then construct a simple model house, and monitor its internal temperature when exposed to ambient conditions over a 24-hour period. In a following session, based on their acquired knowledge, teams design and test a model building according to their own chosen goal (constant-temperature house, greenhouse, etc.). As an extension, students also examine the insulating characteristics of animals. Class observation, analysis of student responses and survey data show that the activity successfully engages students, better motivating them to understand the physics involved. They have to deal with problems that arise during the experiments and discuss solutions with their group members. Th...

Positive student effect: confidence increased, students enjoyed themselves and want to learn more... more Positive student effect: confidence increased, students enjoyed themselves and want to learn more about special relativity”. These words at the beginning of the research report indicated a positive learning experience had taken place for both internal and external students studying special relativity. A computer program, Real Time Relativity, developed at the Australian National University, by Lachlan McCalman, Antony Searle, Craig Savage and Michael Williamson, was given to students studying Special Relativity at Murdoch University in Western Australia. The students were asked to “play the game” and the effectiveness of their play was judged with pre and post game surveys. Comments and lab notes showed that their understanding of the scale and effects of special relativity deepened as they developed their own visual models. It also appears that the game experience worked as well for students studying by correspondence, as it did for oncampus students. Introduction The computer prog...

International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 2018

In this paper we present two simulations designed with GeoGebra that illustrate dynamically a key... more In this paper we present two simulations designed with GeoGebra that illustrate dynamically a key concept in Vector Calculus: line integrals of vector fields, along with other associated mathematical properties and applications. Students are not required to know the GeoGebra environment: a user-friendly interface with buttons, functionalities and online help and exemplar problems allows immediate use of the simulations. The goal of the simulations is to enhance student insight, in the spirit of learning by experimentation, by analysing the dynamic representations provided by the simulations and by dragging objects and changing the parameters involved. The numerical results can be confirmed for special cases by standard undergraduate calculations.

Summary form only given. Presented here are two techniques designed for use in superorbital expan... more Summary form only given. Presented here are two techniques designed for use in superorbital expansion tube test facilities. Holographic interferometry has been used to measure shock shapes and density variations over a range of models. A new technique, laser-enhanced ionization velocimetry (LETV), has been developed and tested in a low enthalpy facility and will shortly be implemented in the superorbital tunnel.

Proceedings of European Meeting on Lasers and Electro-Optics CLEOE-96, 1996

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe

New materials and components can only be certified as good as long as their quality can be checke... more New materials and components can only be certified as good as long as their quality can be checked. Therefore it is of main importance that the development of techniques for nondestructive testing (NDT) can keep pace with the development of new materials. Holographic and shearographic measuring techniques are well suited for NDT purposes of new materials. These techniques offer big advantages, especially for the inspection of composite materials and geometrically complicated structures. Both holography and ...

International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 2019

Dominic McGrath, Teaching and Educational Development Institute, The University of Queensland, Au... more Dominic McGrath, Teaching and Educational Development Institute, The University of Queensland, Australia Craig Savage and Michael Williamson, Department of Physics, The Australian National University, Australia Margaret Wegener and Tim McIntyre, School of Physics, The University of Queensland, Australia d.mcgrath1@uq.edu.au craig.savage@anu.edu.au michael.williamson@anu.edu.au t.mcyintyre@uq.edu.au m.wegener@uq.edu.au

Effective Teaching and Learning …, 2010

Student attitudes towards a subject affect their learning. For students in physics service course... more Student attitudes towards a subject affect their learning. For students in physics service courses, relevance is emphasised by vocational applications. A similar strategy is being used for students who aspire to continued study of physics, in an introduction to fundamental ...

We have developed and demonstrated the effectiveness of a set of online interactive learning modu... more We have developed and demonstrated the effectiveness of a set of online interactive learning modules to accompany physics courses at first- and second-year university levels. Students access the modules prior to attending lectures to familiarize themselves with content which is then discussed and reaffirmed in class. Student surveys and access data show that students were much more likely to use material presented in this form, rather than a textbook, when preparing for lectures given in an active learning format. The students found that interactive simulations, videos of problem-solving approaches prepared by course staff, and quick-check immediate feedback questions were all useful tools for lecture preparation–none of which are available when using a traditional textbook for lecture preparation.

The Art of Physics

Physics can fascinate because of its aesthetics. We see possibilities for art in the artefacts of... more Physics can fascinate because of its aesthetics. We see possibilities for art in the artefacts of physics –
lab equipment, experimental results, theoretical models - in the artistic appeal of observed phenomena, beautiful objects used in doing physics, a pleasing curve that relates parameters ...
A scientist with a passion for art (MJ Wegener) and an artist with a passion for science (AK Milroy), we are collaboratively making original jewellery / art objects by re-purposing physics artefacts.
We call these souvenirs of the work of physicists, transformed into art, Labpunk.

In 2014, the professional society of physicists in Australia themed their national conference "Th... more In 2014, the professional society of physicists in Australia themed their national conference "The Art of Physics" (Canberra, 7-11 December, 2014). The aim was to "stimulate diverse and creative participation in the Congress" and delegates were encouraged to be "adventurous" ("Australian Institute of Physics"). Wegener, a physicist with a deep interest in the arts, invited Milroy, an artist with a deep interest in science, to collaborate to produce a body of artistic work addressing the Congress theme. Their shared experiences as metalsmiths led to the idea to transform physics relics into wearable art and small sculptural objects. Wegener's respect for the artefacts of physics research had resulted in a collection of lab "junk." Making use of this variety of oddments stretched the knowledge and skill of the metalsmiths, who were forced in some cases to handle unfamiliar materials and to try new processes. The term "Labpunk" was coined to describe the resulting works of art and science. In addition to an exhibition of approximately 50 works during the Congress, individual pieces were commissioned as gifts for each of the nine plenary speakers (Figure ). Each gift was inspired by the research interests of the speaker. Throughout the collaboration the pair followed a fourfold aspiration: to create by making wearable works of art and small sculptural objects; to reflect on their practice with special attention to recording a dialogue between the science of physics and the art of metalsmithing and jewellery-making; to interact, by networking and engaging in discourse that spans cultural divides; and to address the finite through repurposing materials (Wegener & Milroy). For this article, Wegener and Milroy invited creative practice researcher, Holmes, to extend the collaboration. Initially Holmes was actively engaged "in conversation" with photographs and several physical Labpunk works, without any prior explanation by the duo. Once Holmes had made his observations, the artists added more information about each work, in terms of inspiration, technique, process, materials, recipient's reactions and so on. Holmes took on the role of provocateur, subsequently extending the discussion to incorporate an in-depth critique of some of the assumptions behind their aspirations, and to speculate on those works that aim to interpret and be inspired by physics as wearable art. The conversations were recorded and subsequently transcribed, edited and built on over multiple drafts, circulated by email and collaboratively negotiated. Specifically, the intent was to tease out issues of process, practice and knowledgemaking. The Labpunk works of art-science are, by nature, material inventions and thus require a process of material thinking as proposed by Carter. Nine works from the Labpunk art-science praxis form a framework for this conversation. To orient the reader, an assemblage of photographs of the nine commissioned works has been provided (Figure ).

Sometimes physics fascinates just because of its aesthetics. It could be the artistic appeal of a... more Sometimes physics fascinates just because of its aesthetics. It could be the artistic appeal of an experimental image, a beautiful object used in doing physics, a pleasing curve that relates parameters. The authors of this article see possibilities for art in the artefacts of physics - in bits of lab equipment, experimental results, and theoretical models. One is a scientist with a passion for art, the other an artist with a passion for science. Collaboratively they are making original works of art which may be worn as jewellery, or as enjoyed as sculpture, by re-purposing physics artefacts

International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 2016

We have developed an inquiry-based first-year undergraduate experiment to investigate heat transf... more We have developed an inquiry-based first-year undergraduate experiment to investigate heat transfer. Students consider the real-world problem of how the temperature inside a building is influenced by various factors. Students develop their understanding of heat transfer through scaffolding experiments, and then construct a simple model house, and monitor its internal temperature when exposed to ambient conditions over a 24-hour period. In a following session, based on their acquired knowledge, teams design and test a model building according to their own chosen goal (constant-temperature house, greenhouse, etc.). As an extension, students also examine the insulating characteristics of animals. Class observation, analysis of student responses and survey data show that the activity successfully engages students, better motivating them to understand the physics involved. They have to deal with problems that arise during the experiments and discuss solutions with their group members. Th...

Positive student effect: confidence increased, students enjoyed themselves and want to learn more... more Positive student effect: confidence increased, students enjoyed themselves and want to learn more about special relativity”. These words at the beginning of the research report indicated a positive learning experience had taken place for both internal and external students studying special relativity. A computer program, Real Time Relativity, developed at the Australian National University, by Lachlan McCalman, Antony Searle, Craig Savage and Michael Williamson, was given to students studying Special Relativity at Murdoch University in Western Australia. The students were asked to “play the game” and the effectiveness of their play was judged with pre and post game surveys. Comments and lab notes showed that their understanding of the scale and effects of special relativity deepened as they developed their own visual models. It also appears that the game experience worked as well for students studying by correspondence, as it did for oncampus students. Introduction The computer prog...

International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 2018

In this paper we present two simulations designed with GeoGebra that illustrate dynamically a key... more In this paper we present two simulations designed with GeoGebra that illustrate dynamically a key concept in Vector Calculus: line integrals of vector fields, along with other associated mathematical properties and applications. Students are not required to know the GeoGebra environment: a user-friendly interface with buttons, functionalities and online help and exemplar problems allows immediate use of the simulations. The goal of the simulations is to enhance student insight, in the spirit of learning by experimentation, by analysing the dynamic representations provided by the simulations and by dragging objects and changing the parameters involved. The numerical results can be confirmed for special cases by standard undergraduate calculations.

Summary form only given. Presented here are two techniques designed for use in superorbital expan... more Summary form only given. Presented here are two techniques designed for use in superorbital expansion tube test facilities. Holographic interferometry has been used to measure shock shapes and density variations over a range of models. A new technique, laser-enhanced ionization velocimetry (LETV), has been developed and tested in a low enthalpy facility and will shortly be implemented in the superorbital tunnel.

Proceedings of European Meeting on Lasers and Electro-Optics CLEOE-96, 1996

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe

New materials and components can only be certified as good as long as their quality can be checke... more New materials and components can only be certified as good as long as their quality can be checked. Therefore it is of main importance that the development of techniques for nondestructive testing (NDT) can keep pace with the development of new materials. Holographic and shearographic measuring techniques are well suited for NDT purposes of new materials. These techniques offer big advantages, especially for the inspection of composite materials and geometrically complicated structures. Both holography and ...

International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 2019

Dominic McGrath, Teaching and Educational Development Institute, The University of Queensland, Au... more Dominic McGrath, Teaching and Educational Development Institute, The University of Queensland, Australia Craig Savage and Michael Williamson, Department of Physics, The Australian National University, Australia Margaret Wegener and Tim McIntyre, School of Physics, The University of Queensland, Australia d.mcgrath1@uq.edu.au craig.savage@anu.edu.au michael.williamson@anu.edu.au t.mcyintyre@uq.edu.au m.wegener@uq.edu.au

Effective Teaching and Learning …, 2010

Student attitudes towards a subject affect their learning. For students in physics service course... more Student attitudes towards a subject affect their learning. For students in physics service courses, relevance is emphasised by vocational applications. A similar strategy is being used for students who aspire to continued study of physics, in an introduction to fundamental ...

We have developed and demonstrated the effectiveness of a set of online interactive learning modu... more We have developed and demonstrated the effectiveness of a set of online interactive learning modules to accompany physics courses at first- and second-year university levels. Students access the modules prior to attending lectures to familiarize themselves with content which is then discussed and reaffirmed in class. Student surveys and access data show that students were much more likely to use material presented in this form, rather than a textbook, when preparing for lectures given in an active learning format. The students found that interactive simulations, videos of problem-solving approaches prepared by course staff, and quick-check immediate feedback questions were all useful tools for lecture preparation–none of which are available when using a traditional textbook for lecture preparation.

Proceedings of the Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Sep 6, 2012

Much of modern science explores domains outside the experiential world of students. In these situ... more Much of modern science explores domains outside the experiential world of students. In these situations virtual reality, and carefully constructed accompanying experiences of active exploration, can provide a contextualised experience to develop connected understandings. This paper presents the development of two virtual reality simulations in physics. Real Time Relativity explores Special Relativity and QSim introduces Quantum Physics. We report the successful outcomes of the implementation and development of Real Time Relativity considering students' experiences and learning. Evidence is presented as to the effectiveness in the teaching context, with students engaging with the material, demonstrating improved learning outcomes and wanting to experience more science and simulations.