Bulletin of the American Physical Society
APS April Meeting 2021
Volume 66, Number 5
Saturday–Tuesday, April 17–20, 2021; Virtual; Time Zone: Central Daylight Time, USA
Session G17: Reaching Out to Broader AudiencesEducation Live Outreach Undergrad Friendly
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Sponsoring Units: FOEP Chair: Becky Thompson, Fermilab; Heide Doss, Point Loma Nazarene University |
Sunday, April 18, 2021 8:30AM - 8:42AM Live |
G17.00001: Can we agree with climate science and oppose nuclear energy as conscientious scientists? Robert Hayes It has long since passed that the UN expert panel along with the WHO have concluded that all the radioactivity and radiation dose from the Fukushima event were too small to cause any measurable medical effects in the local populations of Japan. Similar arrays of review papers and journal articles agreed and have now found that the only medical effects are attributed to radiophobia, the fear of radiation. That 3 out of 4 nuclear reactors can undergo full meltdown with what is clearly a safe outcome is outrageous given public sentiment and society silence on the matter, beyond incredible, potentially comparable to individuals believing the earth is flat. If we as a society ask the public to adopt scientifically sound consensus opinions such as those from the IPCC, how can we expect deference to the experts if we ourselves pick and choose which to follow such as the case with nuclear energy? Issues such as nuclear waste, transportation safety and other nuclear accidents will also be considered in this talk. [Preview Abstract] |
Sunday, April 18, 2021 8:42AM - 8:54AM Live |
G17.00002: Physics Kiosks to Seed Scientific Curiosity Baris Altunkaynak, Paul Champion Science museums are ultimate outreach centers. A large number of beautiful science exhibits placed under one roof spark curiosity in any visitor. But, they can also be inaccessible due to the cost and required time commitment. What if science exhibits were part of our daily life? What if you bumped into an exhibit in your local coffee shop, library or train station? This APS/NEU funded project explores the idea of building physics themed kiosks and distributing them across the city as a way to reach out to the public in their daily lives. The currently designed kiosks feature a continuously running cloud chamber and an interactive display to inform the public about particle physics and the multiple benefits of pure science to society, such as spin-off-technologies. These kiosks will be installed at branches of Boston and Cambridge public libraries in Massachusetts. The cloud chambers and information kiosks will be available during operating hours and graduate students will provide periodic on-site Q{\&}A sessions and talk to the public about their research topics. [Preview Abstract] |
Sunday, April 18, 2021 8:54AM - 9:06AM Live |
G17.00003: Using Online Seminars as an Outreach Strategy to Promote Science Magdalena Waleska Aldana Segura, Julián Félix Valdez During the Pandemic in 2020, we adapted our face-to-face presentations to online delivery via platforms that will allow easy access, low bandwith consumption and at the same time to reach a broader audience interested in Science. Although this way of work is not new, it's advantages provided us the opportunity to diversify contents and reach a broader audience achieving gender equality. With those things in mind, from the International Elementary Particle Laboratory, a strategy as a binational collaboration stablished the Leon Lederman Seminars Series. Over 400,000 people were reached from all over the American Continent, 20 sessions, and 11 invited speakers , our audience primarily 18-25 years of age. Over 40{\%} of the audience has participated in 90{\%} of the Seminars. Our speakers come from Universidad de Guanajuato, Cinvestav Mexico, Fermilab, IAS Princeton, DAMTP Cambridge, IPN Mexico, and Universidad Nacional de la Plata in Argentina. Each seminar is streamed over social media, and remain online so they can be accessed later and their questions are answered during the Ask a Scientist seminar once a month. [Preview Abstract] |
Sunday, April 18, 2021 9:06AM - 9:18AM Live |
G17.00004: History of the J/$\psi$ discovery - the popular presentation in Virtual Reality Sarah Gaiser, Naomi Davis, Adrian Gaborek, Kamil Serafin, Alberto Aceituno, Vincent Mathieu, Robert Skrzypczak, Adam Szczepaniak We present the history behind the discovery of the J/$\psi$ meson in a popular cartoon-like fashion aimed at middle and high school students. We intend to use virtual reality technology as a novel and affordable platform in education. The proposed 3D experience can be enjoyed using the Google Cardboard coupled with any smartphone. All assets are created with Blender, while scenes and animations are rendered with Unity. The plot consists of two storylines. In the first one, scientists explain the physics behind the discovery of the J/$\psi$ in the year 1974. In the second, subatomic particles are the protagonists themselves. As the discovery of the J/$\psi$ meson was part of what is referred to as the November Revolution in particle physics, the storyline in the particle world picks up the revolution theme. The storyline from the physicists’ point of view on the other hand focuses on explaining the experimental setup, event reconstruction and data analysis of a large scale particle physics experiment. In this talk, we will discuss our experiences in organizing an international outreach project, how we have familiarized ourselves with the necessary tools for creating an affordable VR experience and present our first results. [Preview Abstract] |
Sunday, April 18, 2021 9:18AM - 9:30AM Live |
G17.00005: The International Particle Physics Outreach Group -- Reaching Across the Globe with Science Steven Goldfarb The International Particle Physics Outreach Group (IPPOG) is a network of scientists, science educators and communication specialists working across the globe in informal science education and outreach for particle physics. The primary methodology adopted by IPPOG requires the direct involvement of scientists active in current research with education and communication specialists, in order to effectively develop and share best practices in outreach. IPPOG member activities include the International Particle Physics Masterclass programme, International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Worldwide Data Day, International Muon Week and International Cosmic Day organisation, and participation in activities ranging from public talks, festivals, exhibitions, teacher training, student competitions, and open days at local institutions. These independent activities, often carried out in a variety of languages to public with a variety of backgrounds, all serve to gain the public trust and to improve worldwide understanding and support of science. We present our vision of IPPOG as a strategic pillar of particle physics, fundamental research and evidence-based decision-making around the world. [Preview Abstract] |
Sunday, April 18, 2021 9:30AM - 9:42AM Live |
G17.00006: The First Experimental Chain at NAL: Collaborating Despite Global Differences Vitaly Pronskikh We invoke the concepts of trading zones (TZ) and actor-network theory (ANT) to study the history of the international proto-megascience experiments on small-angle proton scattering conducted at NAL/Fermilab from 1970 to 1980. Through examination of the birth of proto-megascience, we clarify its organizational traits and how it came into existence. Our choice to consider this period in the framework of TZs is justified by the presence of cultural and socio-ontological differences. I suggest that the similarities between TZs and ANT can help us understand these experiments. This study traces proto-megascience experiments’ gradual shift from a heterogeneous type of TZ supported by institutional encouragement to a self-sustained homogeneous type of TZ, with samples of their technological language and research practices spread throughout the scientific community within the laboratory context. We find empirical evidence that at least in high-energy physics, the generalized model of TZs suggests an effective strategy for creating small but stable international collaborations and allows us to predict possible trajectories of their future development through the joint lens of TZ/ANT. Such an approach can provide broad insights into international collaboration of globally diverse actors. [Preview Abstract] |
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