schedule for Sunday February 15

Session Type:
90-Minute Symposium
Number:
090-032
Title:
Weird Life
Session Start/End Time:
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009, 8:30 AM -10:00 AM
Room:
HRC Regency C
Synopsis:
Life on Earth seems completely connected. Life as we know it appears to have had a single common ancestor. But what about life as we don’t yet know it? Might it exist on Earth today in extreme environments and remain undetected because of our instrumental biases toward carbon-based organisms? Might it exist on other bodies in our solar system and in the planetary systems of other stars, perfectly suited to those local environmental conditions? What are the limits of organic life in planetary systems? It is a heady question that, if answered, may reveal just how crowded our Earth and the cosmos could be with alien biology. In 2007, the National Academy of Sciences released a report on what it called “Weird Life” — life with an alternate biochemistry — and this symposium presents, challenges, and extends some of the conclusions in its report. How would we recognize life based on different biosolvents, different nucleotides, and different metabolic pathways? What instruments should we develop to aid human and robotic explorers undertaking a search for other forms of life?
Organized by:
Jill C Tarter, SETI Institute, Mountain View, CA;John A Baross, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Presentations:
 
 
 
 
 
 


Becoming Edvard Munch                   Art Institute of Chicago



IE01:   

The Recipe for the Universe in the High School Classroom.
  Location: H-Crystal A
  Date: Sunday, Feb.15
  Time: 9:00AM - 9:30AM
  Author: Randy Ruchti, Department of Physics
(574) 631-6386, rruchti@nd.edu
  Co-Author(s): None
  Abstract: The high school classroom is a great place to engage and challenge students about the nature of the universe. Notably, particle physics experiments lend themselves well to enriching the curriculum by providing, direct from discovery physics, examples of energy and momentum conservation, particle identification, and the search for new phenomena. Pathways to the classroom are forged through research partnerships of university faculty and staff with high school teachers, immersive research experiences for teachers and students, and the availability of detectors to operate in a classroom setting and simulated and real data from experiments worldwide for students to analyze. Several national programs that are developing these pathways will be highlighted, including QuarkNet and I2U2 (Interactions in Understanding the Universe).

IE02:   

How Examples From Particle Physics Support Standards-based Physics Curricula
  Location: H-Crystal A
  Date: Sunday, Feb.15
  Time: 9:30AM - 10:00AM
  Author: Marjorie G Bardeen, Fermilab
630-840-2031, mbardeen@fnal.gov
  Co-Author(s): None
  Abstract: Conservation of momentum and energy. Science as inquiry, the nature of science. Working with vectors, large datasets or the statistics of large numbers. At Fermilab we have worked with master teachers for over 20 years to bring the excitement of cutting-edge physics to the high school classroom. Efforts range from activities that can be sprinkled throughout the curriculum to longer term web-based investigations where students experience the environment of scientific collaborations. Learn what you and your students can do in your classroom . . . tomorrow.
  Footnotes: None
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IE03:   

Nuclear Astrophysics Outreach Program Now Employs Researcher's Equipment for Enhancement
  Location: H-Crystal A
  Date: Sunday, Feb.15
  Time: 10:00AM - 10:10AM
  Author: Amy DeLine, Central Michigan University
989.859.8009, delin1ad@cmich.edu
  Co-Author(s): Zach Constan, Joseph Finck
  Abstract: The Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) outreach program of the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory has been revised to now use the Modular Neutron Array (MoNA), a million-dollar research neutron detector. High school teachers and students learn about detectors, Large Hadron Collider Physics and nuclear theory in seminars and then perform experiments with MoNA using their new knowledge. The goal is to prepare teachers to present a unit on nuclear physics and stimulate students to become interested in studying nuclear physics and science in general. Coordinators of the program have found hands-on experiments with real research materials to be very beneficial for the learning of both teachers and students. At the end of PAN 2008, 95% of students and 100% of teachers would "Probably" or "Definitely" recommend the PAN program to their colleagues.
  Footnotes: None
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IE04:   

Particle Physics Through Cosmology
  Location: H-Crystal A
  Date: Sunday, Feb.15
  Time: 10:10AM - 10:20AM
  Author: Todd Brown, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
724 836 7466, ltbrown@pitt.edu
  Co-Author(s): Katrina Brown, Robert Reiland, Cherie Harper, Ted Zaleskiewicz
  Abstract: The study of cosmology is closely linked to that of particle physics. Our current understanding of the first moments of the universe depends critically upon our insight into the interactions of particles. In addition, dark matter plays an integral role in understanding how the universe is evolving. The Contemporary Physics Education Project (CPEP) has developed a chart, titled "History and Fate of the Universe," that can be used in the high school classroom to teach these topics. The features of this chart and its use in teaching particle physics will be discussed.

IE05:   

Use of Cosmic Ray eLab to Teach the Research Process
  Location: H-Crystal A
  Date: Sunday, Feb.15
  Time: 10:20AM - 10:30AM
  Author: Deborah M Roudebush, Oakton High School
703 319-2700, dmroudebush@fcps.edu
  Co-Author(s): None
  Abstract: Physics students at Oakton High School use the Cosmic Ray eLab to learn the research process. Students access the database of muon detector data from around the world to develop research questions and practice controlling variable. Advanced students use the Oakton High School muon detector for data collection to support research questions for science fair. The Cosmic Ray eLab is supported in part by the National Science Foundation and the Office of High Energy Physics in the Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy.
  Footnotes: None
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IE06:   

Particle Physics for Everyone
  Location: H-Crystal A
  Date: Sunday, Feb.15
  Time: 10:30AM - 10:40AM
  Author: R. Michael Barnett, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
(510) 486-4799, RMBarnett@lbl.gov
  Co-Author(s): Gordon J. Aubrecht, Robert Reiland
  Abstract: Particle physics has generated intense interest in physics during the past half century. The Contemporary Physics Education Project (CPEP), a volunteer non-profit organization of educators and scientists, has been developing materials to support the introduction of contemporary physics topics into high school and college introductory physics for 20 years. This talk will feature the latest version of the wallchart on the Standard Model of Particles and Interactions as well as supporting activities and materials. Placemat size charts will be distributed to those in attendance. Special emphasis will be given to how the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN will affect our knowledge of the Standard Model and using the chart to teach about these topics.
  Footnotes: Sponsor: Gordon Aubrecht
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IE07:   

The Particle Physics Masterclass
  Location: H-Crystal A
  Date: Sunday, Feb.15
  Time: 10:40AM - 10:50AM
  Author: Shane Wood, Irondale High School/QuarkNet
612-242-7683, shane.wood@moundsviewschools.org
  Co-Author(s): None
  Abstract: The European Particle Physics Outreach Group (EPPOG) has organized particle physics Masterclasses in which high school students use data from CERN's Large Electron-Positron Collider (LEP) experiments and simulated data from CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiments to better understand the world of quarks and leptons. This spring (March 2009) will be the second year in which the United States has participated in the Masterclasses, allowing students to learn more about particle physics through real analysis of particle physics data, and real international collaboration through video conference. This presentation will highlight some of the main features of this Masterclass, and how high school teachers and students may become involved in this exciting collaboration.

IE08:   

Teaching the History of Nuclear Science with the CPEP Wallchart
  Location: H-Crystal A
  Date: Sunday, Feb.15
  Time: 10:50AM - 11:00AM
  Author: Michael G Cherney, Creighton University
402-280-3039, mcherney@creighton.edu
  Co-Author(s): Gordon Aubrecht, Howard Matis
  Abstract: The Contemporary Physics Education Project (CPEP), a volunteer nonprofit organization of educators and scientists, has been developing materials to support the introduction of contemporary physics topics into high school and college introductory physics for 20 years. This talk will feature an updated wallchart on nuclear science as well as the supporting activities and materials. Placemat size charts will be distributed to those in attendance. Special emphasis will be given to using the chart to explain the history of nuclear science and the new physics from heavy ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (CERN) and at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (Brookhaven National Laboratory).

IE09:   

Particle Physics Through Fusion
  Location: H-Crystal A
  Date: Sunday, Feb.15
  Time: 11:00AM - 11:10AM
  Author: Katrina Brown, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
7242557641, kwb@pitt.edu
  Co-Author(s): Todd Brown
  Abstract: The solar p-p fusion chain can be treated in the classroom as an application of particle physics. It can be used to show students an example of matter-antimatter annihilation, the weak interaction, and can be used to introduce fundamental particles such as positrons, electrons, and neutrinos. In addition, if the solar neutrino problem is discussed, considerable material on leptons and neutrinos can be covered while introducing the students to a contemporary physics problem. Ideas for covering this material in the classroom will be discussed.

IE10:   

Authentic Experimental Research at the High School Level
  Location: H-Crystal A
  Date: Sunday, Feb.15
  Time: 11:10AM - 11:20AM
  Author: Sophia Gershman, Watchung Hills Regional High School
908-720-0128, sgershman@whrhs.org
  Co-Author(s): None
  Abstract: An expansion of undergraduate and pre-college research opportunities and classes has been taking place in response to the growing need for scientifically savvy citizenry. This paper shares the extensive experience in the development of an educational environment suitable for authentic experimental research conducted by high school students. The framework for building mentorship relationships between teachers and students receives particular attention. The facility development and outside collaborations are also discussed. Specific examples of student projects are presented, including the experiments in psychology, plasma physics, environmental science, and other science fields. The research laboratory environment has been used for teaching Physics and Experimental Design courses, and for special research programs. High school students present unique developmental needs and advantages. High schools provide an opportunity to create a model scientific community that intensifies student learning and helps them develop a broad set of science skills.

Session Type:
180-Minute Symposium
Number:
180-022
Title:
High-Energy Physics Discoveries: From the Tevatron to the Large Hadron Collider
Session Start/End Time:
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009, 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Room:
HRC Regency C
Synopsis:
The very-high-energy proton-antiproton collisions at the Tevatron and proton-proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are meant to dissect matter and space-time itself into its primary elements and generators. The experiments at the Tevatron and the LHC by synthesizing the information from the debris of the collisions are reconstituting the interactions that took place. The experiments at the Tevatron and the LHC are at the closest point of addressing in the lab some of the most puzzling fundamental observations in nature today such as the dark matter of the universe. This symposium will review the results from the Tevatron’s largest-ever hadron collision data sets as the frontier energy baton is being passed to the LHC, the machine of unprecedented scale and complexity that will determine the future of the discipline of high-energy physics. The LHC starts operation in the summer of 2008, and the symposium will report on the machine and the two general purpose experiments: A Toroidal LHC ApparatuS (ATLAS) and the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS).
Organized by:
Maria Spiropulu, CERN ( European Organization for Nuclear Research), Geneva, Switzerland;Joseph Lykken, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL
Presentations: