ATLAS masterclass 2016

The VISPA ATLAS group hosted its 5th Masterclass on 16 April 2016, with 23 keen students from eight High Schools from the Victoria area.  The students gathered at the University of Victoria for a one day crash course in particle physics, experiencing what it's like to be an ATLAS scientist. 

The program included three presentations from UVic ATLAS researchers on particle physics theory and cosmology, on the Large Hadron Collider and the ATLAS detector, and on the analysis of collision data.  The students interacted with cool physics demonstrations, 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.  Results were shared via video conference with other teams in Vancouver at TRIUMF and Simon Fraser University.  Many thanks to the High School teachers and students for their participation, to all the VISPA members and UVic staff involved in organizing this event.  Special thanks to Ph.D. students Savino Longo and Kayla McLean for leading the event's organization.