Research Abstract for HS interns

Student Abstract Information for HS internship at WIPAC/UW-Madison

Zooniverse-based citizen projects for IceCube and DECO

Owen Roszkowski  (West High School), Valerie Hellmer (West High School)

Jeff Leider (Janesville Craig HS)

Sílvia Bravo, Justin Vandenbroucke (WIPAC)

The purpose of our research was to develop a citizen science project inviting citizens to improve the DECO and IceCube classification algorithms. Although WIPAC scientists have computer-based algorithms that classify different type of events, those are not 100% efficient and tend to fail in cases where the human eye can do a very good job.

Students worked on understanding the current classifications algorithms, identifying events that were not correctly classified, developing a classification algorithm based on information that can be seen by eye on DECO and IceCube displays, and implementing the project on Zooniverse. They have both implemented the first version of these Zooniverse projects. WIPAC will work with the fall internship program to upload final data samples and prepare the beta test. We expect to make these projects public in early 2017.

Improved algorithms for classification of DECO events

Tyler Dolan  (Monona Grove High School), Adrian Cisneros (Milton High School)

Jeff Leider (Janesville Craig HS)

Sílvia Bravo, Justin Vandenbroucke (WIPAC)

The purpose of our research was to improve the current computer-based algorithms for the classification of DECO events. The main goal of DECO is to detect muons from cosmic-ray showers, but the app also detects background radiation and noise in the devices. Current algorithms identify muon tracks with a 70% efficiency. Tyler and Adrian worked on improved algorithms to target specific patterns in events that are usually misclassified. Although their algorithms didn’t exceed the 70% efficiency, their work helped to better understand how to improve the current algorithms. This team also worked with the Zooniverse-based research project described above to create synergies between both.

iOS  DECO app

Felipe Campos  (Collegiate School in Richmond, VA)

Jeff Leider (Janesville Craig HS)

Sílvia Bravo, Justin Vandenbroucke (WIPAC)

The purpose of this project was to follow up with work done by Felipe last year and complete the development of the iOS DECO app. Felipe had to improve their programming skills, but also to understand the physics behind the particle interactions detected by cell phone cameras, and develop efficient data taking and data transfer processes. The app is now in beta testing and will be launch to the general public in the coming months.