Engineering professor gives students chance to explore physics with dance

Sarah Watzman, UC associate professor of mechanical engineering, received a 2025 National Science Foundation CAREER Award for her research on energy conversion materials. Through the educational component of the grant, Watzman is partnering with Black Box Dance Theatre to make the fundamental principles of the physics behind her work more understandable through the visual practice of movement and dance. Watzman is also partnering with Melissa Jacquart, assistant professor of philosophy, and the UC Center for Public Engagement with Science (PEWS) to evaluate the efficacy of using dance as a way to teach and broaden interest in physics. 

Watzman's inspiration to use dance to bring complex physics concepts to life stemmed from her personal experience as a competitive dancer in her childhood.

“I danced competitively through high school,” she said. “So, this project allows me to combine my active passion from when I was younger with my research career passion, and I’m really excited.”

Eligible participants include high school students in grades 8-12 during the 2025-2026 academic year and current UC undergraduate students. All levels of experience are welcome, and no background in physics or dance is required. All students interested in participating must complete a short application, which includes a video component. Applications are due March 9. 

Watzman joined the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2018. Her research work broadly focuses on studying materials that have the potential to convert thermal energy to electricity. More specifically, her expertise is utilizing magnetism to control and enhance this energy conversion.

For the CAREER Award, Watzman is studying a class of materials called topological materials — which conduct electricity differently on their surface than in their interior. She is exploring different aspects of the materials like their thickness and new magnetic phases. The information gained from this research is necessary to understand if and how these materials can be used in consumer applications.