QuarkNet Masterclass
March 26, 2018
On Saturday we organized the first QuarkNet Masterclass for high school students on the campus of Rice University. Several students and teachers attended a physics-filled day with lectures, demos, in-class activities, and hands-on analysis of data from the CMS experiment. We concluded the masterclass with a videoconference with a few other QuarkNet centra to discuss our work and answer any questions from the organizers or other students.
One of the teachers, Alain Harvey, shared a wonderful story on his Facebook feed about this which he kindly allowed me to share. I look forward to seeing more teachers and there students join in future returns of his great initiative. Of course, I should thank Umbe Oliveira-Cantu and the department for providing us all with lunch!
In Alain Harvey's words:
"Once a year, high school classes from around the world can participate in QuarkNet masterclasses.
These students spent an entire day on the Rice University campus, visiting the physics laboratories, and hearing faculty member Dr. Frank Geurts discuss his current research and the field of particle physics. The capstone activity was the analysis of real high energy physics data, and the exchange and comparison of the results with the other classes around the world via video-conference. As a result, students gained valuable insights relating to the topics and methodology of particle physics.
During the day students:
• Attended lectures on the Standard Model and learned how to analyze events;
• Analyzed events from various CERN or Fermilab particle physics experiments; and,
• Discussed their results with other student teams via international videoconferencing moderated by physicists.
MasterClass is a means for Quarknet high school teachers to share their enthusiasm for cutting edge science research and expertise with their own students. Rice University’s Physics and Astronomy Department generously hosted teacher-led teams for an entire day of engaging activities. Students examined actual CMS image data focused on Z- and W-bosons measurements, firsthand. Students also engaged with researchers and staff, toured available labs and meet others with similar interests from around the world!
During the morning session, students learned about the components of a particle accelerator and how to pick out identifying characteristics of particles from event data. This was a great opportunity for students to learn about cutting edge research and engage with physicists doing it!
The Physics Lab was followed by a leisurely lunch generously provided by Rice University.
The afternoon session culminated with teachers and their students participating in a live video conference with high school students and researchers from other QuarkNet centers located in the U.S. and other countries.
The QuarkNet Masterclass Program
QuarkNet is a long-term, research-based program in the United States jointly funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Since 1999, QuarkNet has established centers at universities and national laboratories conducting research in particle physics (also called high-energy physics) across the United States.
Mentor physicists and physics teachers collaborate to bring cutting-edge physics to high school classrooms. QuarkNet offers research experiences for teachers and students, teacher workshops and sustained follow-on support.
Through these activities, teachers enhance their knowledge and understanding of scientific research and transfer this experience to their classrooms, engaging students in both the substance and processes of contemporary physics research.
In 2007, QuarkNet first piloted U.S. Masterclasses, modeled on a program offered by EPPOG and studying Large Electron-Positron Collider-era CERN data. Today masterclasses study ALICE, ATLAS or CMS data. Masterclasses are one-day national events in which teams of students visit a nearby university or research center to gain insight into topics and methods of particle physics.
2011 was the first year that LHC data were incorporated into the masterclass There were exercises for ATLAS (Z- and W-bosons measurements), ALICE (for stranger particles), and CMS (J/ψ meson).
2012 saw the incorporation of expanded CMS data (W/Z measurement.)
Quarknet MasterClasses are held annually in February or March, and are open to high school teachers participating the QuarkNet program, just one of the perks for the joint Quarknet Summer Institute at Rice University and the University of Houston!
What my students had to say:
"Not only did the MasterClass introduce me to an exciting new college scene, but it also introduced me to intelligent people, who have a desire to participate in activities concerning particle physics as I do. It was informative; and even exciting; how we spoke about what we were going to look at and determine through observing electronic diagrams.
We looked at various similar yet classifiably different diagrams and determined what exactly they were using only a set of notes we established earlier and our wit! It was awe-inducing to work and compare results with other students my age on the same project, from across the country and the world. As a junior in high school, I have considered taking general physics in college, and this course gave me some experience that will help me decide how to consolidate on what kind of physics I would like to accomplish working with. I will recall this experience for years to come, and look forward to more like this one."
Harris Khan, Jersey Village High School, Houston, Texas
"One of the most memorable things of the project was how when we had conflicting data (such as two muons and one electron) and no one would know what to classify the collision as being. This showed me how even today physicists are still seeking answers to events at subatomic size. I gained a lot from the Quarknet MasterClass, and I hope I can do more things like it next year."
Anthony Luu, Cypress-Woods High School, Houston, Texas"
One of the teachers, Alain Harvey, shared a wonderful story on his Facebook feed about this which he kindly allowed me to share. I look forward to seeing more teachers and there students join in future returns of his great initiative. Of course, I should thank Umbe Oliveira-Cantu and the department for providing us all with lunch!
In Alain Harvey's words:
"Once a year, high school classes from around the world can participate in QuarkNet masterclasses.
These students spent an entire day on the Rice University campus, visiting the physics laboratories, and hearing faculty member Dr. Frank Geurts discuss his current research and the field of particle physics. The capstone activity was the analysis of real high energy physics data, and the exchange and comparison of the results with the other classes around the world via video-conference. As a result, students gained valuable insights relating to the topics and methodology of particle physics.
During the day students:
• Attended lectures on the Standard Model and learned how to analyze events;
• Analyzed events from various CERN or Fermilab particle physics experiments; and,
• Discussed their results with other student teams via international videoconferencing moderated by physicists.
MasterClass is a means for Quarknet high school teachers to share their enthusiasm for cutting edge science research and expertise with their own students. Rice University’s Physics and Astronomy Department generously hosted teacher-led teams for an entire day of engaging activities. Students examined actual CMS image data focused on Z- and W-bosons measurements, firsthand. Students also engaged with researchers and staff, toured available labs and meet others with similar interests from around the world!
During the morning session, students learned about the components of a particle accelerator and how to pick out identifying characteristics of particles from event data. This was a great opportunity for students to learn about cutting edge research and engage with physicists doing it!
The Physics Lab was followed by a leisurely lunch generously provided by Rice University.
The afternoon session culminated with teachers and their students participating in a live video conference with high school students and researchers from other QuarkNet centers located in the U.S. and other countries.
The QuarkNet Masterclass Program
QuarkNet is a long-term, research-based program in the United States jointly funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Since 1999, QuarkNet has established centers at universities and national laboratories conducting research in particle physics (also called high-energy physics) across the United States.
Mentor physicists and physics teachers collaborate to bring cutting-edge physics to high school classrooms. QuarkNet offers research experiences for teachers and students, teacher workshops and sustained follow-on support.
Through these activities, teachers enhance their knowledge and understanding of scientific research and transfer this experience to their classrooms, engaging students in both the substance and processes of contemporary physics research.
In 2007, QuarkNet first piloted U.S. Masterclasses, modeled on a program offered by EPPOG and studying Large Electron-Positron Collider-era CERN data. Today masterclasses study ALICE, ATLAS or CMS data. Masterclasses are one-day national events in which teams of students visit a nearby university or research center to gain insight into topics and methods of particle physics.
2011 was the first year that LHC data were incorporated into the masterclass There were exercises for ATLAS (Z- and W-bosons measurements), ALICE (for stranger particles), and CMS (J/ψ meson).
2012 saw the incorporation of expanded CMS data (W/Z measurement.)
Quarknet MasterClasses are held annually in February or March, and are open to high school teachers participating the QuarkNet program, just one of the perks for the joint Quarknet Summer Institute at Rice University and the University of Houston!
What my students had to say:
"Not only did the MasterClass introduce me to an exciting new college scene, but it also introduced me to intelligent people, who have a desire to participate in activities concerning particle physics as I do. It was informative; and even exciting; how we spoke about what we were going to look at and determine through observing electronic diagrams.
We looked at various similar yet classifiably different diagrams and determined what exactly they were using only a set of notes we established earlier and our wit! It was awe-inducing to work and compare results with other students my age on the same project, from across the country and the world. As a junior in high school, I have considered taking general physics in college, and this course gave me some experience that will help me decide how to consolidate on what kind of physics I would like to accomplish working with. I will recall this experience for years to come, and look forward to more like this one."
Harris Khan, Jersey Village High School, Houston, Texas
"One of the most memorable things of the project was how when we had conflicting data (such as two muons and one electron) and no one would know what to classify the collision as being. This showed me how even today physicists are still seeking answers to events at subatomic size. I gained a lot from the Quarknet MasterClass, and I hope I can do more things like it next year."
Anthony Luu, Cypress-Woods High School, Houston, Texas"