CERN Education Program and Science Gateway

Introduction

• CERN created in 1954 with the motto "science for Peace".
• Created by 12 European member states; now has 23 full member states plus Estonia (pending).
• Non-military research focused on nuclear physics and fundamental research.
• Collaborates with over 150 countries.
• Commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

CERN Missions

• Fundamental research at the frontier of human knowledge.
• Development of innovative technologies.
• Collaboration for the good of humanity and science.
• Education and inspiration for future generations.

Research Areas

• The early Universe.
• Antimatter and dark matter.

Education at CERN

Training Programs

• Administrative Students: Typically Bachelor candidates.
• Technical Students: Typically Master candidates.
• Summer Student Program: Begins next week with 478 students.
• Fellow Programs: Origin, Quest, and research fellows.
• Tertiary Education: Includes CERN schools for accelerators, physics, data acquisition, etc.

CERN Science Gateway

• A new complex for educational and public outreach activities.
• Inaugurated in October last year with 7,000 square meters.
• Aims to reach 300,000 visitors annually; already at 200,000 by May.

Facilities

• Large auditorium for science shows.
• Education lab for hands-on experiments.
• Quantum exhibition for interactive learning.

Activities

• Science Shows: Educational performances explaining scientific concepts.
  • Examples: Journey through a detector, data science shows.
• Lab Workshops: Interactive sessions on various scientific topics for ages 5+.
  • Examples: Superconductivity, robotics, medical applications, etc.

Virtual and Remote Education

• Virtual Science Shows: Interactive online shows initiated during the pandemic.
• Low-Cost Classroom Materials: 3D printable experiments, gamification tools.
  • Examples: Mystery boxes, linear accelerators, particle games.

Specialized Programs

• Beamline for Schools: Annual competition for high-school students to conduct experiments at CERN or DESY.
• Internships and Teacher Programs: In-person and online formats.
  • Examples: Ukrainian online teacher program, South Asia Science Education Program.

Education Research

• Accompanied by doctoral research into educational impacts and methodologies.
• Example: Concept map to determine essential learning concepts in modern physics and align with high school curricula.

Outreach and Collaborations

• Visitor Programs: In-person and guided tours, usually need booking 9 months in advance.
• Teacher Programs: National and international, available in 27 languages.
• Collaborations: Partnerships with educational and scientific organizations worldwide.

Conclusion

• Goal: Inspire and educate people on the nature of science and the scientific method.
• Open for collaborations in particle physics education and research.