QuarkNet @ DPF - July 20, 2026

  Greetings and introductions 

• Whip around for introductions
  • Name
  • School name and state
     
• What is QuarkNet?
• Why include Contemporary Physics in our Classrooms?
• Setting the stage: Big to small (slides)
   
• What can we learn from muons?

    Activity: Shuffling the Particle Deck 
     Explore the elementary particles that make up the Standard Model.

• Virtual Particle Cards (full set in one group)
• Virtual Particle Cards (grouped)
• Standard model, and standard model

  Activity: Rolling with Rutherford 
     Using indirect evidence to "see" the invisible. 

• Tracks - Tracks tell stories and provide indirect evidence.
• Cloud chamber - example of particle tracks
  • Link to free cloud chambers from American Nuclear Society
• Slides - for reference
• Spreadsheet - for visualizing the importance of more data
• Simulation - From Jeremy Wegner

10:45 AM

Talk?: 

Title, Name

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

Activity: Calculate the Z Mass - 
     Use conservation laws (energy/momentum) to calculate the mass of a particle.

• Act out p-p collision and subsequent decay
• Slides - for reference
• Data/events
• Spreadsheet (for quick total momentum calculations)
• Plots from the pros: CMS, ATLAS, Higgs (4l, animated)   

  Activity: World Wide Data Day measurement  - 
     Use muons in a calibration measurement at the LHC.  

• What is W2D2?
• Video: The LHC
• Slides
• Analysis
  • Access data: iSpy-w2d2
  • Record results: tally sheet (printed for you) <--use this first
  • Share results: spreadsheet <--use this second...enter your totals when done
  • Show results from W2D2 2023 and/or 2024

 Closing Discussion

• Tour of QuarkNet.org and Data Activities Portfolio
• Implementation ideas
• Q & A

4:00-5:30 PM

Optional DPF Sessions:

• K-12 Science Outreach, WH 212 - This room!
• Science Trust Panel, WH Curia II