Friday Flyer - April 14, 2023
Spotlight on QuarkNet Camps for Teachers
The words "summer camp" might evoke memories of campfires, s'mores, and swimming in the lake. Participation in one of QuarkNet camps for teachers will add words like data analysis, collaboration, and classroom implementation to that list of memories. QuarkNet has several camps that bring QuarkNet teachers from around the country together, including Data Camp, Coding Camp 1, and Coding Camp 2. This week, we shine a spotlight on these experiences and let you know how to get involved.
Data Camp will be held on July 9-14 in-person at Fermilab. In Data Camp, teachers work on rigorous particle physics data analysis, explore QuarkNet Data Activities, and take advantage of the location to learn even more. For more information about Data Camp, check out the 2023 Data Camp flyer. If you are interested in participating in Data Camp, ask your mentor or QuarkNet staff to nominate you. Questions? Want to be nominated? Contact Ken and/or Shane.
Coding Camp 1 will be held virtually over Zoom on June 26-30. In Coding Camp 1, teachers learn to code in Python, analyze particle physics data, and practice integrating these experiences into their classrooms. Along the way, teachers pick up strategies for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through their curriculum. If you are interested in participating in Coding Camp 1, you need to apply here. Questions? Find out more information here, or contact Adam LaMee.
Coding Camp 2 will be held on July 23-28 in-person at Fermilab. In Coding Camp 2, teachers gain in-depth experience with fundamental computer programming skills and applications. Teachers improve their coding skills, analyze particle physics data, and practice integrating these experiences into their classrooms. Along the way, teachers pick up strategies for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through their curriculum. If you are interested in participating in Coding Camp 2, you need to apply here. Questions? Find out more information here, or contact Adam LaMee.
News from QuarkNet Central
Center Leads: It's that time of year again when planning summer workshops at centers is in full swing. Please keep in mind that there are several workshops that QuarkNet staff and/or fellows can bring to teachers at your center. Questions? Your QuarkNet staff members are here to help!
Data Activities Portfolio: ¡Actividades, ahora en español! There are now five activities that have Spanish Language versions:
Rolling with Rutherford
Shuffling the Particle Deck
Calculate Top Quark Mass
Calculate Z Mass
Dice, Histograms and Probability (newly added!)
They can be found using the Curriculum Topics pull down menu and selecting Spanish Language.
Physics Experiment Roundup
We'll start this roundup with updates from the Large Hadron Collider, including this accelerator report that, in short, states the beam is back. ATLAS physicists announced the recent observation of the electroweak production of two Z bosons and two jets, a "crucial observation" that may greatly impact our understanding of the Standard Model. ALICE physicists observe "the ridge" in simplest collision system yet, enabling scientists to better understand the origin of quark-gluon plasma(QGP)-like phenomena in small collision systems. (More about QGP below!)
The Higgs boson was discovered in 2012, but there's more to learn, and, "The path forward will be guided by data."
Back to QGP, referenced above...A recent Scientific American article features experiments that re-create and study particles that made up the quark-gluon plasma of the very young cosmos.
At Fermilab: Check out the Integrated Engineering Research Center, the new 80,000-square-foot building that will provide space to research, design, construct, and test new technologies for particle physics research.
Resources
Happy World Quantum Day!
Symmetry asks: "Is Dark Matter the Most Powerful Wave in the Universe?" Looking for more on dark matter? Then check out Dark Matter 101, a collection of articles ready to shed more light on the subject.
A couple of videos from Fermilab's YouTube channel: Don Lincoln: Is Gravity a Force? and a public lecture by Aleksandra Ciprijanovic: Artificial Intelligence in Astrophysics.
As you are making your summer plans, consider attending the AAPT summer meeting in Sacramento, CA on July 15-19. Several QuarkNetters are planning to attend; check out this page for more information. Also from AAPT: Registration is now open for the 2023 High School Physics Photo Contest.
Bill Gabella, Vanderbilt University physicist and QuarkNet mentor, recently shared a link to a nice story about physicists and physics teachers informally chatting with Richard Feynman after a conference. (A nice example that demonstrates how valuable unplanned conversations during the "in between" or "after hours" times at conferences can be.)
Just for Fun
In case you missed these April 1st announcements from CERN: Here's one, and here's another. (Don't believe everything you read, especially that which is published on April 1!)
Next...it's all relative: From xkcd and from TV's Big Bang Theory.
Lastly, beware the diffraction spikes!
QuarkNet Staff
Mark Adams: adams@fnal.gov
Ken Cecire: kcecire@nd.edu
Spencer Pasero: spasero@fnal.gov
Shane Wood: swood5@nd.edu