education

Science Storytellers brings together two groups of innately curious individuals: scientists and children. In the Science Storytellers program, kids act as science journalists interviewing real-life scientists. Afterward, they share what they learned. Research shows that transmitting scientific knowledge to the public is important, but actually shifting someone’s opinions requires engaging with them in a two-way dialogue and treating them as a whole, complicated person with knowledge, experiences and influences of their own.

Particle physics might seem too complex for young children, but educators are finding enthusiasm and understanding even among the “Sesame Street” set.

DOE has awarded a $1.9 million grant to Northern Illinois University and the Illinois Institute of Technology for the training of next-generation workers in accelerator science and technology. The program will cover student tuition costs for two years and fund paid research assistantships at Fermilab and Argonne. Physics professors Michael Syphers and Philippe Piot, both experts in particle accelerator research and technology, are leading the effort at NIU.

Since 2010, the African School of Fundamental Physics and Applications has provided education to hundreds of students. The ASP is a three-week summer program for university-level students from across the continent of Africa. Participants learn about nuclear and particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology, accelerator physics, high-performance computing, quantum information and more. For some students, it’s the first time they hear about some of these topics.

From Daily North Shore, Nov. 12, 2019: New Trier Township High School juniors Paul Graham and Ellie Winkler have spent the past year working with a team of 15 other Chicago-area high school students and teachers to propose, design, build and analyze a unique high-energy physics experiment for Fermilab.

From The Beacon-News, June 9, 2019: A recent Sunday afternoon in Batavia gave parents and children the chance to experience animal and plant life as the Fermilab held its 11th annual Family Outdoor Fair. The event included more than a dozen outdoor activities, ranging from viewing the herd of bison that live on the property to scooping up insect and pond creatures and invertebrates with nets.

For the 11th year in a row, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is inviting families, scout troops and other youth groups to attend the Family Outdoor Fair on Sunday, June 9, from 1-4 p.m. The fair takes place outside the Lederman Science Center and highlights the plant and animal life found on the 6,800-acre Fermilab site in Batavia.

From Kane County Chronicle, May 6, 2019: St. Charles East High School sophomore Emma Santos is one of 25 students selected to participate in Fermilab’s six-week paid summer internship program. The TARGET program incorporates both classroom and work experiences that support the science conducted at Fermilab.

From The Beacon-News, April 18, 2019: The 12th annual STEM Career Expo at Fermilab allowed high school students interested in careers in math and science to interact with scientists at the lab and other professionals. More than 30 local companies and research organizations were represented at the event.

From the Kane County Chronicle, April 11, 2019: High school students who are potentially interested in a career in the STEM fields are invited to learn more about opportunities at the Fermilab STEM Career Expo from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 17 at in the atrium of Fermilab’s Wilson Hall. Students will meet with STEM professionals and ask questions about STEM careers. In addition to Fermilab scientists and engineers, the STEM Career Expo will feature more than 100 professionals from more than 30 local companies and research organizations who will explain what they do.