BEARCAT BEAM TEAM PROPOSAL
Why do we want to go to CERN?
Our team thought this would be an awesome experience! When we learn physics in our
high school classes we learn the fundamentals, but not always what is actually being
researched in the present. So many high school students don’t even know what CERN
is- this would be a chance to get the word out that physics research is cool. And we
have a great idea for an experiment!
Quotes from our team members:
“I love adventures, and I love to explore the unknowns, to acquire knowledge,
and to see the almost magical things in the world of physics happening with my own
eyes. I am curious of the mysterious physics laws that govern the universe, and it's my
dream to participate in this wonderful adventure to take a step closer to finding out the
answers to the mysteries that still puzzle humankind. CERN is the frontier of particle
physics in the world, and this is where I want my journey to begin, as a young future
scientist, meeting, knowing, and eventually contributing to this wonderful world of
science.”
“I have always wanted to travel the world and gain as much knowledge as I can when
I do. This would be a wonderful first step in beginning my travels. I worked at the
University of Cincinnati, Physics Department, over the summer and worked with data
from CERN. I was only responsible for analysis of the most basic kind but I always
wanted to know where the data was actually coming from. I would be so excited to be
able to be in the place where all the data is coming from and how the particles are
created and worked with.”
“Throughout my life I have constantly looked for adventure and insight. When I
took AP physics last year, we watched a video on CERN and the work they do there. It
was amazing to see exactly how my interest in scientific discovery and my call to
adventure matched up. The work done by CERN is groundbreaking and I would love to
see this work done firsthand and even possibly be a part of it. While my knowledge of
particle physics is limited, I would love to learn more about it from the people leading the
way in this important part of scientific discovery.”
What do we hope to take away from the experience?
“I hope to learn more about physics in general and particle physics research in
particular. At CERN, scientists from all over the world have the opportunity to
collaborate on projects that shape our understanding of the universe. This experience
would help me to catch a glimpse of the wonderful possibilities science holds. I intend to
pursue a career in physics, and this experience would provide an excellent glimpse into
what the future might hold for me. Particle physics is such a wonderful subject, and it
would be amazing to experience such a great environment.”
“If I were to go to CERN, I would hope to learn more about the recent discoveries and
breakthroughs in particle physics. While I was in AP Physics last year, we completed
some experiments with the QuarkNet cosmic ray detectors we had at school. It would
be interesting to see just how accurate our detectors are and how we can further use
them to contribute to the research and investigation of muons in our atmosphere.”
Speaking of our QuarkNet detectors…….
Here’s how we would like to use the particle beam line for our experiment.
We propose an experiment that has the potential to affect the cosmic ray detectors in
hundreds of schools around the world!
The QuarkNet program has put cosmic ray detectors at 711 schools, giving thousands
of students access to a unique research tool. Students can use their local detector to
study the effect of many different things, such as weather and altitude, on muon flux
rate. A larger goal would be to use this network of detectors to conduct broader
research.
THE PROBLEM: Comparing data and making conclusions from different detectors is
not an easy task. During international muon week, for example, participants made
simultaneous observations around the globe. While it is exciting to compare the data,
there is a weakness in the system. On March 4, 2014, for example, one detector in in
Cincinnati, OH measured a flux rate of 7,500 while a detector in Kingfisher, Oklahoma
measured a flux rate of 200,000. We don’t know if that shows interesting physics or just
a difference in detector efficiency or settings. We need to calibrate our detectors!
THE EXPERIMENT: Our proposed experiment shown above places our QuarkNet
detectors (we have three separate detectors in our Cincinnati Schools) in the beam line
between the Scint3 and Scint4 detectors. We can use the readings from the Scint3 and
Scint4 detectors to test the accuracy of our QuarkNet detectors and calibrate them
accordingly. Using a beam of muons with a known flux rate will allow us to understand
how the cosmic ray detectors work and help establish a baseline for performance. With
that information, we can begin to make valid comparisons between detectors.
AFTER CERN:
Once our detectors are calibrated, we can use them to calibrate others at the same
location. The calibrated detector could make a tour of other QuarkNet Centers and
calibrate their detectors. In time, enough detectors will be calibrated for collaborative
studies all over the world. A procedure could be developed which would help calibrate
QuarkNet detectors located at different sites, leading to greater confidence in
experiments. Once all of the detectors have been properly calibrated, we will be able to
contribute more confidently to the worldwide cosmic ray experiments with a lower
margin for error. It is impossible to know exactly what these clearer readings will
contribute to further scientific discovery, but with more accurate readings, the
possibilities are endless. But without conducting this experiment, we will never know if
any of our experiments are valid.