2024 Annual Report

QuarkNet

Fermilab/University of Chicago/College of DuPage

Student Summer Research and Teacher Workshop

Annual Report 2024

The Fermilab/University of Chicago/College of DuPage QuarkNet Center held its annual teacher workshop for its 18th year. High school student summer research included four students for a period of seven weeks.

The high school students worked with research scientists on projects in areas of CRMD (Cosmic Ray Muon Detectors), DUNE (Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment), and InfraBREAD (Broadband Reflector Experiment for Axion Detection).  Presentations on the student research projects were conducted at the teacher’s workshop during the final week of the summer.

The three-day teacher workshop was held from July 30th through August 1st.  Cosmic Ray legend Mark Adams conducted this year’s summer workshop and 16 teachers of physics attended. Teachers from the workshop were primarily from the Chicago metropolitan area, incorporating physics in their teaching. Three teachers traveled to Fermilab for the event.  We continue to show variety in gender, age, and years of experience in the classroom.

The teacher workshop was successful in meeting on-site and in-person. Teachers participated in QuarkNet data activities, with extensive emphasis on Cosmic Ray Muon data activities. The Teaching with Data workshop included a number of activities working towards the introduction of statistical analysis of data while learning physics.  In addition, a number of physics education resources on the web were shared.  Teachers developed plans for continued improvement of the integration of physics research data into their classrooms. 

The Fermilab/University of Chicago/College of DuPage QuarkNet Center continues to provide a quality research experience and educational workshop. Both teachers and students continue to express enthusiastic satisfaction.  

Spencer Pasero

Office of Education and Public Engagement

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

George Dzuricsko

Lead Teacher