Seattle QuarkNet Participation AAPT – 2025 Fall Meeting at the LIGO

AAPT – 2025 Fall Meeting at the LIGO

October 18th

Full day schedule:

8:30-9:30 Arrival and coffee

9:30-9:40 Opening remarks

 9:40-10:00 Developing Career Readiness Competencies Through Experimental Skills Focused Introductory Physics Labs (Anya Guy, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University)

10:05-10:15 Strength-Based Practices in the Physics Classroom (Val Monticue, Bridges Graduate School)

10:20-10:30 The impact of student use of AI on physics education research(David P. Smith, University of Washington)

10:25-10:45 Break 

10:45-11:05 Conceptual Resources, Probabilistic Reasoning, and Thermal Physics   (Al K Snow, University of Washington, Seattle)

11:10-11:30 Tutorials to Introduce Undergrads to General Relativity (David Syphers, Eastern Washington University)

11:30-11:50 WA-AAPT business meeting (open to everyone!)

11:50-12:35 Lunch provided by LIGO

12:35-2:15 LIGO Tour

2:15-2:25 LIGO International Physics and Astronomy Program for Educators

                               Maggie Jensen, LIGO Hanford Observatory

2:30-2:50 QuarkNet Center at UW: Bridging Particle Physics Education Through CERN and implementing in classroom experience (Tseveldorj Oyuntugs, Stadium High School)

2:55-3:05 Lyra Moscuzza, University of Washington

3:10-3:20 Armaan Khanuja, University of Washington

3:25-3:35 Green River College

 3:35 Adjourn

Seattle QuarkNet Presentation:

Purpose: To demonstrate how QuarkNet connects students and teachers to real physics research.

Presentation Abstract:  - QuarkNet Center at UW: Bridging Particle Physics Education Through CERN 

The University of Washington's QuarkNet Center stands at the forefront of particle physics education, offering transformative professional development opportunities for high school physics teachers through its partnership with Fermi Lab and CERN. This presentation will introduce the innovative approach to physics education that combines hands-on detector research, real-world data analysis, and direct engagement with cutting-edge particle physics research. Through the QuarkNet Center teacher workshop program, educators gain invaluable experience working with actual particle physics data, learning about the latest discoveries in the field, and developing practical teaching strategies to bring these complex concepts into their classrooms.

Real classroom examples: Including the muon time-of-flight project and actual student names adds authenticity.

Visual variety: You included CERN, Fermilab, and student activities — great visuals for engagement.

Global connection: Mentioning international masterclasses and collaboration with scientists is compelling.

Structure:

Intro – Who you are & what QuarkNet is

Why it matters – Why teachers and students benefit

What we do – Workshops, projects, student data

Impact – Real outcomes (students, connections, learning)