Particles' popularity

Abstract

Some of the latest developments in particle physics were explored by hundreds of UK young people at the first National Particle Physics Masterclass which took place on 11 - 23 April 1997. This was organized by the High Energy Particle Physics Group of The Institute of Physics, in conjunction with several university physics departments. Sixth-formers studying physics, along with their teachers, were invited to spend a day experiencing the excitement of particle physics at first hand, with a mix of talks and PC-based practical sessions. The sessions gave hands-on experience of the type of interactive graphical display programs that are used at CERN in Geneva, and students were able to study real particle collisions from the Large Electron Positron Collider (LEP), including collisions from the run during which LEP operated at nearly twice its previous energy. Other practical activities saw students making their own measurements of particle tracks, using software specially designed for schools, and making the most of the World Wide Web in studies of particle physics. The universities taking part were Lancaster, Manchester, Durham, Liverpool, Imperial College, Swansea and Oxford. More such classes, at a wider range of universities, are planned for next year. Any students who enjoyed the Masterclass could keep a constant reminder of their involvement by downloading a screensaver of Schrödinger's cat courtesy of PPARC (the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council)! The screensaver is aimed at 11 - 16 year-olds and is free by opening the box at http://www.pparc.ac.uk/freebies/saver.html. The PPARC site reflects the range of activities supported by the research council throughout the community, including providing schools with new materials relevant to the curriculum.