Don Williams has meticulously curated and developed the highly successful service-learning program Physics Outreach for more than a decade. This program offers more than just exciting scientific experiments for children; it also trains college students to become exceptional educators.

Williams is a lecturer in the Physics Department. One of his major courses is Physics Outreach, which he teaches enthusiastically and with expertise. As part of this course, Williams takes his students on trips every Wednesday and Friday to local schools. During these visits, his students deliver engaging and informative talks to children about the wonders of physics and science. He also demonstrates exciting experiments and encourages students to participate in hands-on activities to deepen their understanding of the subject.

“I would do this forever if I could,” Williams said. “I love to do this because the students love to learn, but also because I’m training my students how to be better science teachers.”

One of his most memorable experiences during outreach was back in March 2022, when the college course got to meet with President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval at his old elementary school, Marshall Elementary. Following the Physics Outreach students' presentation to an audience of more than 300 elementary school students, spanning from kindergarten to second grade, Jiménez-Sandoval recited a poem he composed by request from Williams.

“Marshall stars, bright as gold,
Becoming stronger and stronger,
With dreams of
Astronauts
Paleontologists
Dentists, Teachers, and Artists,
Mathematicians and Scientists,
Authors, Chemists, and Physicists.”

William’s profound enthusiasm for the field of science has been evident from an early age. A Texas native, he completed his high school education in Kansas. Following a visit to Fresno State, he made the decision to become a part of the campus community, ultimately earning both his bachelor's and master's degrees in physics at Fresno State. His admiration for the campus's aesthetic appeal was unmistakable, and he has since dedicated over a decade to delivering lectures and contributing to the community. His contributions range from sharing knowledge throughout the valley to organizing a hot dog barbecue for students.

Don Williams at a school visit for Physics Outreach

The Physics Outreach course is a service-learning class, signifying its accessibility to all students, irrespective of their major. Williams places a strong emphasis on experiential learning and direct interpersonal engagement, prioritizing hands-on educational experiences and face-to-face interactions as key components of the course.

“I have been to 600 different schools, and each and every one of them have one thing in common,” Williams said. “Kids love to learn. When we enter these classrooms, my objective is for my own students to observe, and eventually acquire the ability to adapt to diverse environments. The students who take this course and become teachers, become good teachers.”

When he's not sharing his knowledge in classrooms or visiting educational institutions all across the Valley, Williams finds solace in the serene beauty of the mountains. He loves backpacking, exploring the wilderness, and spending quality time with his loved ones in his cabin, which he built entirely on his own.

Don Williams' Cabin

“I can’t see myself retiring any time soon. This job is my baby in a sense,” Williams said. “I love watching my learners. I want my students to understand that no matter what your discipline is, there is always learning to be done. Our students today are already amazing, it’s up to us to be good teachers and provide the necessary guidance they need to excel in their studies.”