LIMA — Lima is the hometown of one of the world’s most famous astrophysicists.
William Fowler won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983 for his efforts to show how all the natural elements in the Periodic Table are forged under extreme conditions across the course of a star’s lifetime.
“Stardust: The William Fowler Science Series” is a new program designed to honor Fowler’s achievements and generate an interest in math, science, engineering and art among local students. Stardust is a collaboration between the City of Lima, The Ohio State University at Lima and Lima schools.
“We believe it will be a creative way to create a pipeline of students who get excited about science, engineering and all those related subjects, and ultimately get students focused on a career that literally can change the world,” Lima Mayor David Berger said at a press conference announcing the program.
Lima schools Superintendent Jill Ackerman said Fowler, a graduate of Lima Central High School, is the most notable alumnus from the district, and a person her students can learn a lot from.
“This project is a wonderful way to show our students the quality of graduates that have come before them, and that they too can graduate from the Lima City Schools and go on to accomplish such great things as winning a Nobel Prize,” Ackerman said.
Students in the Lima schools have been working on concepts and projects based on Fowler’s work throughout the fall term. Their projects will be on display for a culminating public event at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 in the Martha W. Farmer Theatre for Performing Arts at OSU Lima. Astrophysicist and podcaster Paul Sutter will also be on hand to discuss Fowler’s work.
Lima Senior students, eighth-graders from West Middle School and the Liberty Arts and Science and Technology magnets will spend a portion of the day on the OSU Lima campus learning how they too can pursue careers in science, technology and the arts in Lima. Students at Lima Senior High School will also be given the opportunity to interview Sutter about his experiences.
Sutter will record two podcasts while in Lima, one at the public event and a second for a presentation to students in the Lima schools.
Officials hope this year’s event will be the first of an annual science series that will continue for years to come.
