CASCADING PHYSICS IDEAS USING EXAMPLES FROM PARTICLE PHYSICS AT CERN
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
To maintain, and respond to, the increasing interest in physics, and particle physics in particular, created in schools over the past few years by outreach activities, initiated by the School of Physics & Astronomy at Birmingham, including:
- 4 years of previous cascade competitions since 2006-7, starting locally, then expanding into schools nationally with 100-150 schools now showing interest and getting involved;
- 9+ years of going into schools to talk about physics and demonstrate physics ideas;
- 9+ years of running very successful masterclasses in various areas of Physics for 1000+ students in the wider local area;
To maintain and strengthen links between students and teachers in schools, and researchers in HE departments, in order to enhance and stimulate a general interest in physics and in studying physics at higher levels;
To emphasise the fundamental physics principles behind high profile research (such as the experiments at the LHC) and produce student-friendly resources to enhance the curriculum and show basic physics in action – resources that are closely related to curriculum and will be used in classrooms
- 4 years of previous cascade competitions since 2006-7, starting locally, then expanding into schools nationally with 100-150 schools now showing interest and getting involved;
- 9+ years of going into schools to talk about physics and demonstrate physics ideas;
- 9+ years of running very successful masterclasses in various areas of Physics for 1000+ students in the wider local area;
To maintain and strengthen links between students and teachers in schools, and researchers in HE departments, in order to enhance and stimulate a general interest in physics and in studying physics at higher levels;
To emphasise the fundamental physics principles behind high profile research (such as the experiments at the LHC) and produce student-friendly resources to enhance the curriculum and show basic physics in action – resources that are closely related to curriculum and will be used in classrooms