Events and Courses

Physics Teachers at CERN

Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 March 2009

A three day conference at CERN for European teachers - all proceedings in English! This is a great opportunity to visit CERN - particularly with the opening of the LHC coming up this year. Due to the repairs being undertaken on the LHC the visit should provide one last opportunity to see the big experimental stations up close before the tunnels shut for the commencement of testing and operation.

You can see for yourself the work going on there, update your knowledge of particle physics and meet physics teachers from across Europe. As previous delegates will tell you it is a memorable experience and not to be missed.

Preference will be given to teachers who have not attended a teacher training event at CERN before.

Conference fees and accommodation costs are met by CERN and STFC will provide a contributory bursary of up to £150 per person towards the cost of travel to Geneva for UK teachers selected for the event. Spaces are limited so apply early. Visit the Physics Teachers at CERN web site.

Contact the STFC Schools' Officer for information on how to apply.

Particle Physics Masterclasses

2009 dates now available. Throughout the UK
These annual events for sixth-formers will be held at universities and laboratories throughout the UK. Look for the nearest to you. These are organised by the IOP HEPP group. These are popular events - book early! Visit Masterclasses for more information about Particle Physics Masterclasses.

High School Teachers at CERN 2009

Dates for 2009 will be announced later in the year

High School Teachers at CERN is a three week residential course for secondary school physics teachers, particularly those with a track record of participation in extra-curricular activities that promote and enhance the teaching of physics. The course brings together physics teachers from across Europe and the world. It is presented entirely in English. The course is intended:

To promote the teaching of physics and, in particular of particle physics, in high schools

To promote the exchange of knowledge and experience among teachers of different nationalities

To expose teachers to the world of research

To stimulate activities related to the popularization of physics within and beyond the classroom

To help CERN establish closer links with European schools

To encourage the cooperation between CERN and existing programs sponsored by the European Union in the area of scientific education

Financial support (2000 Swiss Francs for living expenses and 500 Swiss Francs for travel) for participants is available from CERN. Further details and application procedures are available from http://teachers.web.cern.ch/teachers/HST2008atCERN.html

Particle Physics Course for Teachers (Goldsmiths' Company)

July 2009, Brunel University

Free, one week course on Particle Physics for teachers including one-day visit to CERN. Visit the Goldsmiths' Company for details.

Regular Events

Branches of the Institute of Physics organise lectures and talks, and these are frequently on Particle Physics topics and suitable for teachers and sixth formers. Visit the IoP web site to find your local branch for details of what’s on.

See, also, courses run by Science Learning Centres in England.