Corporate Sponsors Lend Support to Centennial Projects

The APS Centennial will feature several special events, exhibits and ongoing projects made possible by generous donations from corporate and government sponsors. [See the "Guide to Special Events" for specific times and locations.]

Fernbank Museum Gala
Numerous organizations have contributed to supporting the gala buffet dinner at the Fernbank Museum on Sunday evening, March 21, a formal affair celebrating the APS Centennial and the accomplishments of 20th century physics. In addition to dancing, there will be three screenings of "Cosmic Voyage" in the IMAX Theatre. Entertainment will be offered in the auditorium by Lynda Williams, "The Physics Chanteuse," and science magician Bob Friedhoffer. Primary sponsors include the American Institute of Physics, The Beacon Group, Herbert V. Friedman, and Hartford Life. Additional sponsors include Herbert L. Jamison & Co., Chroma Graphics, Inc., and Global Mail Ltd.

Timeline Wall Chart and Web Site
Numerous organizations are sponsoring various aspects of the Timeline Wall Chart, an educational outreach project entitled A Century of Physics. A compilation of photographs and text highlighting major developments and contributions of physics throughout the 20th century is displayed on eleven 40"x 26" panels. Each panel highlights one decade of 20th century physics. Lucent Technologies, the primary sponsor of the wall chart, has donated funds to cover printing costs. The National Science Foundation and Department of Energy are funding its distribution and the United Parcel Service will fund packaging. The educational timeline will be distributed free to high schools, junior colleges and universities, along with a teachers guide - developed with funds provided by the Lounsbery Foundation - as well as to science centers and libraries.

To complement the paper timeline wall chart, IBM is sponsoring the development of a timeline website, to become available later this month. The website is designed as an electronic version of the literal text and images of the wall chart, accessed through multimedia, interactive and external-link enhancements. It expands the amount of information available via the paper version, allowing more in-depth exploration of physics discoveries and their application to our world.

Nobel Laureate Luncheon
The Coca-Cola Company and the APS are jointly hosting the Nobel Laureate luncheon, scheduled for Saturday, March 20, which is intended to promote and highlight the importance of science education. This invitation only luncheon will honor an outstanding high school science teacher from each state and will be attended by science teachers and students from Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas, as well as more than 40 Nobel Prize winners in physics and chemistry. Students and teachers will have an opportunity to interact with the Nobel laureates. Delta Airlines is sponsoring the travel of selected dignataries to the Centennial. Vice President Gore has been invited to address the luncheon guests who will include APS leadership, local dignitaries and program sponsors.

Microscapes Exhibit
Lucent Technologies is also sponsoring an exhibit entitled Microscapes: The Hidden Art of High Technology, featuring 50 photographs that explore the convergence of art and technology, created in collaboration with the scientists and researchers of Lucent/Bell Laboratories. The exhibition has been shown in museums, art centers and universities through the U.S. and abroad. Available for viewing are such subjects as a fiber optic illumination of a silicon chip for echo-free conversations, a computer-simulated "fingerprint" of a superconductor, and a scanning electron micrograph of sulfur crystals.