June 2, 2012, London

We are here, orientation is out of the way and class has started. First picture is students demonstrating the proper way to study thermodynamics, standing in front of a 1788 Boulton and Watt steam engine.

The photo below is how close you could get to Buckingham Palace as they prepared for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Pretty impressive crowd. The winged thing in the background is the stage for the Jubilee concert Monday.

June 8, 2012, London

One week down, students are still all here and haven’t killed their professors yet. Teaching at this pace is an experience. Paul Crilly, who has taught his course in mini-term, has taken to it like a duck to water.

We have started holding court for students for pre-class problem practice at the coffee house across the street from our classroom building. We went to the Royal Institution today, home of the Christmas Lectures, Michael Faraday museum, and other amazing stuff.

The Waterloo Bridge is in the background beneath that sea of people. Students are taking a trip to Stonehenge this weekend.