ATLAS masterclass 2025
VISPA hosted its 11th Masterclass on 26 April 2025, with 30 excellent students from 12 high schools around the Victoria area (with some from as far as Duncan and Ladysmith!). The students gathered at the AV天堂 for a one day crash course in particle physics, experiencing what it's like to be a particle physicist and ATLAS scientist.
included four presentations from particle physics researchers: one on particle physics theory and the Standard Model (from UVic theorist Branden Aitken), one on particle accelerators and the Large Hadron Collider (from UVic accelerator physicist Daniel Hedji), one on the ATLAS detector (from UVic ATLAS physicist Adrienne Scott), and also one on the analysis of collision data (from UVic ATLAS undergraduate Josephine Brewster). The Masterclass students connected to a live video tour of the ATLAS control room in CERN, and experienced hands on analysis of actual ATLAS data to find Z and Higgs bosons and to search for undiscovered new particles, with thanks to very helpful advice from UVic postdoctoral physicist Caleb Miller. Results were shared via video conference with other teams at TRIUMF/UBC, at Simon Fraser University, at Okanagan College, and also at LBNL/UCBerkeley. Many thanks to all the high school teachers and students for their help and participation, and to the many VISPA members and UVic staff and faculty involved in organizing this event.