Physics
is imagination, top student says
A conversation with Erica Cherry, member of the US team to the 2004
International Physics Olympiad
Cherry, a student at Evanston Township High School, in Evanston, IL,
is one of 24 students to compete in the 2004 International
Physics Olympiad held this year in Pohang, South Korea. Cherry beat
out over a thousand other students in stringent exams to earn a place
on the U.S. team.
How did you become interested in physics? Why do you
like it?
I've been interested in science since I was a little girl. I used to
love taking things apart to see how they worked and trying experiments
with household items. I specifically became interested in physics my
sophomore and junior years of high school, largely due to my physics
teacher, Dr. Mark Vondracek, whom I sincerely believe is one of the best
physics teachers in the country. He has helped me to see that physics
is about experimentation and discovery, rather than sitting in a classroom
reading textbooks. That's one of the reasons I like physics-- it's a
dynamic subject because the material is constantly changing due to the
results of new experiments. It also deals with the most fundamental questions
of how the universe works, which I have always found fascinating. Physics
is a universal subject.
Because a lot of it is based on logic and all of it is based on experimental
observations, it is easy even for those uneducated in science to understand
some of the fundamental principles that govern the physical world just
by observing the way a ball bounces or a car skids to a stop. Most of
the other sciences aren't so universal because they just aren't as easy
to observe. Also, physics is the basis for all other sciences-- subjects
like biology and chemistry just wouldn't make sense if scientists did
not begin their studies with concepts such as conservation of energy
and the nature of electromagnetic forces.
I hope every physics student one day has a chance to have a teacher
as knowledgeable, supportive, and caring as Dr. Vondracek. I have no
hesitation in saying that I would not be a member of the U.S. physics
team or an aspiring physicist without his help.
What do you think is the importance of having women
in the physical sciences?
Women and men have very different thought processes. It has been my
experience that in general, men are better at concrete thinking (the
kind one would use when doing a math problem) and women are better at
abstract thinking (the kind one would use when painting a picture.) The
physical sciences can be both concrete and abstract, so it is important
to have a balance of these two kinds of thinkers. Of course, this is
a generalization, but there is no denying that women and men interpret
problems differently, and in my opinion, part of science is collaboration
between different types of people because diverse scientists are likely
to complement each other. Besides, there are too few females in the hard
sciences, and I think it's important for women to show the world that
they can design experiments and solve problems as well as men can. I
am a firm believer that tradition and peer pressure are the only factors
that have kept so many women away from science.
If you couldn't major in physics next year, what subject
would you choose?
I considered many majors before I was interested in physics, including
architecture and music. However, if I had to pick a different major today,
I would probably choose chemistry because I would like to stay in experimental
science.
What are your career plans?
I am planning to become a physics researcher, because I love designing
and performing experiments as well as discovering new things. I am thus
far undecided about the specific area I will study, but I am very interested
in quantum physics. I have also considered eventually becoming a teacher,
although I would only do that after researching for several years.
How do you think your interest in music intersects with
your interest in physics?
One of the reasons I enjoy both music and physics is that both subjects
deal with logic and creativity. Most music follows a very logical progression,
whether a chord progression, a standard structural format, or another
regular pattern. However, the art in music, the musical and emotional
interpretation, is up to the player. That art is a spark that makes music
special and distinguished above other media, and I see that spark in
physics as well. Even though so much of physics is logical and predictable,
there's always an element of the unknown that is left for the physicist
to ponder and explore. Physics doesn't just have to be information out
of a textbook... it's also what people can imagine and hypothesize.
What would you say to other young women who may be considering
taking some physics courses at their schools, or who may be considering
trying for a spot in future Olympiads?
First of all, don't get discouraged when people say "you're going
into PHYSICS?" with a repulsed look on their faces. I've found that
this happens very frequently. Read physics books independently; not only
are they interesting, but they also help with tests like the Olympiad.
Talk to your physics teacher as much as possible. Ask questions. In my
opinion, the most interesting parts of physics are not included in the
standard high school curriculum, so aspiring physicists need to take
some responsibility for their own learning.
A bio
of Cherry can be found on the U.S. Physics Team's website
Martha J. Heil
American Institute of Physics
(301) 209-3088
Agnetha Hansgardh
American Institute of Physics
301-209-3674
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