Alan Alda asks scientists to explain energy to children
Alan Alda wants scientists to answer a question for 11-year-old children: What is energy?
The actor is a visiting professor at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University on eastern Long Island. He has been posing similar vexing questions to scientists since 2011.
He says it’s important for scientists to be able to communicate complex concepts in simple terms.
He previously has sought simple definitions of time, colour and sound.
His first question sought a definition of a flame? His annual contest continues to be called the ‘Flame Challenge’.
The judges are 11-year-olds around the world who access the contest online.
Winning scientists receive $1,000.