Abstract

The International Particle Physics Outreach Group (IPPOG) has been making concerted and systematic efforts to present and popularise particle physics across all audiences and age groups since 1997. Today the scientific community has in IPPOG a strategic pillar in fostering long-term, sustainable support for fundamental research around the world. One of the main tools IPPOG has been offering to the scientific community, teachers and educators for almost 10 years is the Resource Database (RDB), an online platform containing a collection of high quality engaging education and outreach materials in particle physics and related sciences.

Highlights

  • Main challenges the scientific community faces currently are the threat to the financial support of large experimental endeavours and falling interest of young people to engage in studies of STEM, especially physics

  • Before the update of physics school curricula is achieved, the science outreach and extra-curriculum activities are the only possibility to bridge the gap between contemporary scientific research and science education at schools and the awareness of modern science by society

  • Today the scientific community has in International Particle Physics Outreach Group (IPPOG) a strategic pillar to aid the fostering of long-term, sustainable support for fundamental research around the world

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Summary

Introduction

Main challenges the scientific community faces currently are the threat to the financial support of large experimental endeavours and falling interest of young people to engage in studies of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), especially physics. In general physics is less popular than other natural sciences, suffering a stigma of being a science that is very mathematical, abstract, and complicated. It is perceived as disconnected from real world. Physics is about understanding the basic laws of nature, the world we live in It explains how the world around us and within us functions. People with a background in physics and related STEM subjects are highly sought after in many professions, including business and industry. These skills provide a solid basis for a successful career. Why is that? Let’s start our analysis by stating that the only modern physics topic students are confronted with by that age is the physics of nuclear reactors

Rare exposure of society to modern physics
Why understanding of particle physics by a broad population matters
Particle Physics at schools today
Importance of outreach
IPPOG’s mission
IPPOG’s roles
IPPOG Activities
Physics Masterclasses
IPPOG Outreach Resource Database
IPPOG Resource Database history
New IPPOG website
The new IPPOG Resource Database
Target audiences (who can find what?)
Bringing particle physics closer to society
Findings
Conclusions
Full Text
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