ESP Biography



ISAAC METCALF, Materials scientist and diehard environmentalist




Major: 3/8

College/Employer: MIT

Year of Graduation: 2020

Picture of Isaac Metcalf

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Not Available.



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

S13216: Doing Physics in Math: Electromagnetism in Splash 2019 (Nov. 23 - 24, 2019)
There are four fundamental equations that determine physics of charged substances: Maxwell equations. But why are there four? Why not just one? Why do they look so complicated? This class will solve such questions! In this class, we will first go through the physical meaning of Maxwell equations, then introduce mathematical concept of differentials, and finally write Maxwell equations in terms of electromagnetic field.


S13421: The Science of Sustainability in Splash 2019 (Nov. 23 - 24, 2019)
From the nitrogen cycle to the Three Gorges dam to the electric arc steel furnace, this physics-based class examines how we're screwing up the planet - and how we might be able to save it.


E13515: How Modern Batteries Work in Splash 2019 (Nov. 23 - 24, 2019)
A survey of how batteries work with a particular focus on how the modern batteries in your phones, laptops and electric vehicles work.


S13088: Climate change, climate action in HSSP Summer 2019 (Jul. 07, 2019)
Human-caused climate change will impact every continent and ocean throughout the rest of this century -- and likely beyond. How do human-made emissions lead to climate change? How will climate change affect people's lives here and around the world? And what technologies and policies might we use to limit the damage?


S12353: The Physics of Sustainability in Splash 2018 (Nov. 17 - 18, 2018)
Curious how climate change actually works? Want to learn why throwing an apple core in the trash is worse than throwing it under a bush, but better than throwing it in a creek? Ever wonder why acid rain is a problem in New England but not Texas? Come to this three-hour rapid-fire lecture and have all your sustainability science questions answered!