When a $550 million dollar nuclear science initiative, the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), comes to MSU, it catches the public interest. Science Theatre is aiming to help the public understand the research being done in nuclear physics at MSU and the advances that this new facility will make possible - and it's calling on experts to do so. Science Theatre's Member of the Month for April 2010, Johnathan Gross, is just the man for the job.

No one in the world is better equipped to develop science demonstrations to present nuclear physics in a clear and exciting way than students at MSU, home to the #1 nuclear physics program in the country. John, a second year Physics major, has been drawing upon his experience as an undergraduate employee at MSU's National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL). He's already put together, for example, a model of atomic nuclei using tennis balls and velcro to demonstrate nuclear collisions. John has been working to develop Science Theatre's FRIB show along with Science Theatre Assistant Physics Director Jessica Muir (Physics Senior and Marshall Scholar), NSCL outreach personnel, and Chelsea House and other Science Theatre volunteers.

In addition to working on the FRIB show, John performed at Ralya Elementary in Haslett on March 25th, for Science Theatre's show to benefit the Dance Marathon for the MSU Children's Health Iniative on April 10th, John also performed in many shows this past Fall, including the Halloween Show at the Abrams Planetarium, as well as during the 2008-2009 academic year, including travelling with Science Theatre to Delta County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula during Spring Break. So why does he do it? John writes, "It's a great way to share my love of science and have fun doing it."

John is from West Bloomfield, MI and is pursuing a career in physics research.