Alumni Scientist
Today Michigan State University physics professor and HCES (class of 1947) alum, Walter Benenson came to present to 4RJ. His presentation, entitled "Granny's Glasses" was a lesson in light, lenses and focal length. Walt (as he asked to be called) asked the students if light traveled in a straight line. To prove that light doesn't travel in a straight line, but rather, can be refracted, he showed us an image of a "broken" pencil (similar to the straw below).
Wtih the laser box, Walt demonstrated how light is refracted through a lens and focused on the other side.Walt then gave students glasses and explained how to find the focal length of the lenses and the strength of the glasses in dioptera.
Walt shared his 6th grade report card and class photo with the students. He said that when he was at HCES, there was no science taught at all!




