On this day in 1942, a University of Chicago team led by Enrico Fermi created the first controlled nuclear chain reaction, in converted squash courts under Stagg Field, the University’s football stadium. more ›

It's not every band that includes science demonstrations by a U of C physicist during their release party, let alone two. But Mira Mira will do just that this Saturday, April 25 (which incidentally comes on the heels of National DNA Day). Their new album combines references to Isaac Asimov, The Time-Traveler's Wife, and the first radio broadcast with the most delicate, lushly arranged chamber pop this side of The Innocence Mission. But you don't need to focus on the wry, geeky lyrics to enjoy the group's tasty sonics. Drifting melodies carried along by piano and subtle electronics occasionally shift into darker tones, complete with shimmering guitars. It's wistful and introspective without feeling sleepy. more ›

Most high schools teach bio in ninth grade, chemistry in tenth, physics in eleventh and cupcake decorating in twelfth, but several Chicago-area high schools are adopting the Physics First model, which teaches physics freshman year. The thinking behind PF is that physics is more exciting than bio and chem (so true) and that students should all be exposed to physics before they graduate. more ›

Over 10,000 students from Illinois, Chicago, Wisconsin and Michigan bussed their way to Six Flags Great America for the annual physics day in which high school students pretend to learn about velocity and actually play on rides all day. We kid. Students actually learn a lot about how "stuff" works based on a curriculum by Nathan Unterman, a Glenbrook North High School science teacher who also wrote the book, Amusement Park Physics, which we love. Because if you're going to have to figure out the amplitude of a driven oscillation, you might as well have fun vom-ing on Raging Bull while doing so. [S-T, photo by Hendricks Photos] more ›