The Particle Physics Masterclass www wordle net Shane

The Particle Physics Masterclass www. wordle. net Shane Wood shane. wood@moundsviewschools. org Irondale High School – New Brighton, MN AAPT 2009 Winter Meeting - Feb. 15, 2009

What is the Masterclass? n Analogous to a Masterclass in the arts: a student works with an expert Expert = particle physicist n Topic = particle physics data analysis n n Well-developed in Europe (EPPOG) n Students work with physicists from universities and labs (5 -6 across Europe/day) n End of day – all participants connected by videoconference to CERN n Happens for several days over several weeks n Each year: over 5000 students in over 20 countries

US Masterclasses n Organized through Quark. Net n In 2006 -2007, a small number of “Masterclass Institutes” participated with Europe n In 2008, US Masterclass Institutes were created in collaboration with EPPOG n In 2009, there will be 20 US Masterclass Institutes meeting 23 -28 March n Quark. Net follows program design and evaluation

US Masterclass Agenda: TIME: ACTIVITY: 8: 30 -10: 00 Tour 10: 00 -11: 00 Particle Physics Presentation n Prior to Masterclass: Students take pre-test, then 1 -5 hours of instruction n Day of Masterclass: See table n After Masterclass: Students take post-test 11: 00 -12: 00 Masterclass Intro for Students 12: 00 -13: 00 Lunch 13: 00 -15: 00 Student Data Analysis 15: 00 -15: 30 Prep. for Videoconference 15: 30 -16: 30 Videoconference on EVO 16: 30 -17: 00 Closing

Data Analysis n Most Institutes – real LEP Event Displays n Look at Z-decays to determine branching ratios: Z 0 Z 0 Z 0 e+ e μ+ μ τ+ τ 2 q 3 q 4 q

Data Analysis

Collaboration n Students meet in CERN or Fermilab-moderated videoconference n Compare/Discuss Results, Post Questions n Discussions continue – Blogs

Connection to LHC n Connected to the LHC through H Z 0 Channel Z – decays are basic background n Understanding Z-decays are important to identify possible Higgs n n Some institutes will be using simulated LHC data this year n Future: Students will analyze real LHC data

Goals for Students n Analyze real particle physics data n Learn particle physics and how research is done n Experience science collaboration across the US and the world n Become part of the LHC-community – for a day or long-term

Become involved n Participate in a Particle Physics Masterclass in your area n Use the resources and data available online to have your own Particle Physics Masterclass within your own school, district, or region n See links at end of presentation for data, resources, etc.

Thanks… Ken Cecire and the other Quark. Net Masterclass Fellows, including Michael Wadness, Michael Fetsko, and David Trapp

More Information: n Shane Wood, Irondale High School shane. wood@moundsviewschools. org n Ken Cecire, Hampton University/Quark. Net ken. cecire@hamptonu. edu n Links: http: //www. quarknet. us/library/index. php/Master class_Library http: //www. physicsmasterclasses. org