School of Physics & Astronomy

The University of Glasgow's particle-physics research groups experiment and theory have hosted 120 secondary-school students and staff for a "masterclass" in the frontiers of physics.

The event, on 11 June, is the first such Masterclass visit since the Covid-19 lockdowns put a pause to the once-annual gathering in the UofG School of Physics & Astronomy. Students from 18 schools, from Prestwick to Perth, Edinburgh to Thurso, and particularly drawn from the greater Glasgow area, joined together for talks on subatomic physics, a live link to the CERN laboratory, and for hands-on sessions identifying particle decays and measuring properties of the electron using UofG physics degree equipment.

Event organiser, Prof Andy Buckley, said "It's been a fantastic experience getting school students back into our building, and showing them the ideas and technology we work with. Many schools lack the resources to demonstrate these things in school, so it's really a privilege for us to be able to enhance their learning, as well as provide a fun day out."

Further Masterclass events are set to take place in future, and UofG Particle Physics researchers are also available to visit schools in the Glasgow area on request.

Dr David Miller talking to the Masterclass about theories of New Physics. (Inset: particle events identified by Masterclass students.)

---

First published: 13 June 2024