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The Beauty of Physics
From Faraday’s Curiosity to Today’s Technologies
Speaker
Curiosity might have killed the cat, but it is the life of every scientific revolution.
This lecture celebrates the radical power of curiosity through the life and work of Michael Faraday, whose devotion to understanding nature for its own sake transformed how we see the physical world. Faraday’s experiments with electricity and magnetism did more than solve isolated puzzles; they reshaped reality itself, laying the foundations for technologies that now define modern life.
In this talk, Arthur Eisenkraft traces the evolution of physics from early questions about electrostatics to the breakthroughs of Ørsted, Faraday, and Maxwell, culminating in the birth of field theory. Along the way, he reflects on why curiosity-driven research (often dismissed as abstract or impractical) remains essential to innovation.
An invitation to rediscover wonder in scientific inquiry, this lecture speaks to anyone interested in how asking the right questions can change the world.
This lecture is a part of Azim Premji University’s Public Lecture Series.
Presented by:
Speaker
Arthur Eisenkraft
Arthur Eisenkraft is a Distinguished Professor of Science Education, Professor of Physics, and Director of the Center of Science and Math in Context (COSMIC) at the University of Massachusetts Boston. A past President of the National Science Teachers Association, he has championed project-based learning through Active Physics and Active Chemistry. He co-founded and chairs the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards, engaging over 15,000 students annually for more than 30 years. Dr. Eisenkraft also leads the Wipro Science Education Fellowship Programme, advancing teacher leadership across U.S. school districts. His research focuses on teacher development and curriculum reform. A Fellow of the AAAS, he has received multiple honours, including the National Science Board’s Public Service Award, AAPT’s Millikan Medal, and NSTA’s Carleton Award, and holds a patent for a laser vision testing system.
