History

In 1980, Professor Taylor secured funding to expand the CU Wizards program, allowing him to bring the "magic" of science to schools across the state. This traveling "Mr. Wizard" conducted shows at up to 20 different schools each year. From 1988 to 1991, Professor Taylor partnered with Larry Green from Denver Channel 4 to extend these science demonstrations to a wider audience, culminating in the Emmy Award-winning television series "Physics for Fun."

In 1991, Professor David Nesbitt was appointed as the CU Wizards show's director, and a group of professors at the University of Colorado agreed to take turns presenting free public shows each month during the academic year. Over the years since then, the CU Wizards program has expanded and fostered collaboration among faculty from various scientific disciplines, including Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, Physiology, Biology, Math, Engineering and Geology. The CU Wizards team now covers a diverse range of topics and are often reflective of each Wizard's respective field of study. 

Partnering with Science Discovery:

CU Wizards ventured again into multimedia in 1998 when Professor Nesbitt produced the "CU Wizards Video Series." This video series partnered the CU Wizards Show with CU Science Discovery and was made possible by funding from the CU Outreach Council. An additional grant from the council in 2005 funded the transferring of the show to DVD format along with the creation of a series of teaching guides to accompany the show.  

The Present and Future of CU Wizards

The show continues under the direction of Professor John Bohn. The CU Wizards series takes place on the CU Boulder campus one Saturday each month during the academic year. In recent years, there have been new CU Wizards professors presenting new shows, generously donating their knowledge, time, and energy to create engaging and informative experiences for the public. 

CU Wizards for Teachers!

* For DVD Copies of "Physics for Fun", the "CU Wizards Video Series" and CU Wizards Teaching Guides contact the .

CU Wizard Director David Nesbitt

CU Wizard Director David Nesbitt