LHC Physics in the Classroom @ NSTA - Fall 2026

Submitted by ShaneWood

Published: Mon, 10/26/2026 - 12:40 | Group(s):

Special Projects

November 2026 NSTA: LHC Physics in the Classroom

Thursday, 5 November, 2026 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM ET

Indianapolis, IN

Indiana Convention Center - 231

Small URL for this page: https://quarknet.org/NSTA2026

Agenda:

Time (CT)	Activity
8:00 AM	Opening - Shane (slide) Introductions What is QuarkNet? Setting the stage: Big to small The Data Activities Portfolio (DAP)
~8:10 AM	DAP Activity Overview: Shuffling the Particle Deck - Shane (slides) What are 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
~8:15 AM	DAP Activity: Rolling with Rutherford - Marla Using indirect evidence to "see" the invisible. Tracks Cloud chamber Slides - for reference
~8:35 AM	DAP Activity: Calculate the Z Mass - Shane & Marla Using conservation laws (energy/momentum) to calculate the mass of a particle. Slides Data/events Spreadsheet (for quick total momentum calculations) Plots: CMS, ATLAS, Higgs (4l, animated)
~8:50 AM	Discussion & Evaluation Thoughts on implementation? Tour of QuarkNet.org and Data Actvities Portfolio Q & A
9:00 AM	End of workshop

Contacts

Shane Wood, QuarkNet National Staff
Marla Glover, QuarkNet Fellow

NSTA Program information:

60-minute Workshop Session Info

Title:

Large Hadron Collider (LHC) Physics in the Classroom

Conference Strand:

Three-Dimensional Teaching, Curriculum, and Assessment

Description:

Join us for an engaging workshop that brings cutting-edge particle physics into your classroom. Explore how scientists at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN tackle fundamental questions about the universe—and how their discoveries connect to high school science. Through hands-on activities from the NSF-supported QuarkNet program, you'll experience ways to integrate real data, current research, and core physics concepts into your curriculum, all aligned with national science standards.

Main Takeaways:

Attendees will leave with examples of standards-based classroom activities that link cutting-edge physics research to core concepts taught in high school physics and physical science.