Bolivia

For further information related to Bolivian events, contact the Coordinator:
Dr. Wilfredo Tavera
Universidad Mayor de San Andres
Fisica Teorica
Email: witavera@fiumsa.edu.bo

Events:

• The magic of physics:
  The aim is to take physics out of the University into the community, consisting in demonstrations and experiments performed in public spaces (parks, schools, cultural centers). A didactic guide to the experiments will be published, due to popular demand.

• Working to improve physics teaching:
  In an effort to avoid complacency amongst those teaching physics in schools and university, they propose as part of WYP2005 to launch a series of activities focused on improving physics teaching nationwide in all levels of education. The aims are the publication of a special issue of the “Revista Boliviana de Fisica” dedicated to teaching and learning physics (March 2005); the production and publication of collectable series of themed physics texts that deal with experimental physics, low cost experimental set-ups and a step-by-step introduction to aspects of physics.This will take the form supplements in the local and national press; the II Bolivian Physics Teaching Course which will be held in April 2005, La Paz, Bolivia; to benefit from the high profile of WYP2005 which they hope will add impetus to promote and extend the reach of Physics Olympiads throughout Bolivia. The Olympiads will be held over the months of April to June with the finals held in Sucre and hosted by the University of San Francisco Xavier of Chuquisaca. Over 5000 students are expected.

• Nobel prize physicist visit to Bolivia:
  To host a visit to Bolivia by a Nobel prize physicist. The aims are lobbying with the governement and the scientific community in Bolivia; to generate interest amongst physicists in Bolivia through a series of talks; generate press interest through a series of interviews.

• Physics open doors:
  A special and commemorative Open doors will take place to celebrate WYP2005. It would be held during a weekend when all groups, worlshops, the Planetarium will be involved in displaying and showing the best of physics at the University “Mayor de San Andres, La Paz. The aims are to make physics accessible to the public by opening the doors of the facilities of the physics department i.e. showing the research and people of physics; to promote this worthwhile activity to other universities in Bolivia; publicize Open Doords in all available media.

• Astronomy for everyone:
  The Max Schreier Planetarium will be holding a programme of special events to celebrate WYP2005. This is particularly relevant to WYP as Einstein’s work had profound significance for our universe.

• Scientific Tourism:
  Scientific tours will be set up and aimed at interested parties such as schools, friends of physics and other special interest groups. Due to the particular geography of Bolivia and associated research, physics has a number of laboratories and facilities in different and attractive parts of Bolivia. The aims of this activity are to set up an official scientific toruism circuit based on the different physics facilities in Bolivia; to coordonate with tourism agencies tours in attactive areas where physics can be seen such as salar de Uyuni where the patterns of the salt plains can be explained and studied.

• Physics and its impact on society:
  The geography and socioeconomic context of Bolivia brings many challenges to daily life where a physicist’s viewpoint can have a positive impact. Examples include, public education and scientific research on the effects of high levels of UV radiation on the population; issues relating to the exploitation and industrialization of gas; climate changes affecting Bolivia. The aims for WYP2005 are to organize conferences and debates on important themes relevant to physics and the community; to promote the above activities nationally.