The Netzwerk Teilchenwelt at the University of Bonn
In the nationwide Netzwerk Teilchenwelt, students, teachers and interested people can experience current research in hadron, particle and astroparticle physics up close. The project is based on the cooperation of numerous institutions: In addition to CERN, 30 research institutes and universities are involved. The network is supported and funded by BMBF, Dr. Hans Riegel-Stiftung Bonn and DPG.
The Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität Bonn has been involved in the network since 2010. The project in Bonn is coordinated by the zdi-Schülerlabors Physikwerkstatt Rheinland.
Since 2019, the University of Bonn has also been a node (regional hub) of the Netzwerk Teilchenwelt. Nodes create regional and local offers for pupils and students in various areas of particle physics and are involved in the coordination and development of cross-location offers in Netzwerk Teilchenwelt. Find out more about the activities and thematic focuses of the Bonn hub.
From April 15 to 17, 2024, the workshop on communicating the physics of the smallest particles took place at the Physics Center in Bad Honnef. In theoretical and practical sessions, the participants were given various methods and materials to successfully communicate particle physics.
This time's guest: Prof. Dr. Lena Funcke
Homemade Cosmic Watch detectors were sent into the stratosphere by two Fellows from Bonn (Jana Pöhler and Marvin Gehrke) and their physics class using a weather balloon.
25 students and doctoral students from the field of particle physics built their own small particle detectors. As part of a workshop at the Color Meets Flavor School at the DPG Physikzentrum in Bad Honnef, they soldered, tinkered and screwed things together to gain an even better understanding of the detector principle and implement it themselves using a small example.
Offers & campaigns for schools and young people
At the University of Bonn, students have the opportunity to gain insights into research on the physics of the smallest particles through a wide range of offers.
Particle Physics Masterclasses
From the 10th grade
The Particle Physics Masterclasses organized by the "Netzwerk Teilchenwelt" are project days led by young scientists from the physics department in Bonn. The focus of the event is the analysis of current data from particle physics experiments.
International Masterclass "hands on particle physics"
From the 10th grade
Research institutions around the world open their doors and invite students from the 10th grade and above to try their hand at particle physics for a day. The University of Bonn also participates in such events.
International Cosmic Day
From the 10th grade
Every year, interested school students are invited to research institutions to spend a whole day exploring the world of cosmic radiation. The University of Bonn is also involved in organizing such events.
Lending of school experiments
By arrangement, experiments can be borrowed by schools or pupils. Pupils can use these experiments for specialized research projects such as the "Facharbeit".
Cosmics4School
High-energy cosmic rays hit the Earth's atmosphere and generate particle showers. These particle showers consist of unstable,
short-lived particles that decay on their way. Some of the particles are muons and can be detected on the ground. However, muons are also short-lived particles. How quickly do they decay?
Supervision of school internships and student research projects
Are you looking for a topic for a "Facharbeit" or a (research) internship in the field of experimental particle or detector physics? The Netzwerk Teilchenwelt in Bonn offers various opportunities for project days or internships within the framework of Netzwerk Teilchenwelt.
DIY particle detectors
Millions of tiny particles pass our bodies every second without us noticing. These particles are part of cosmic radiation and usually pass through the earth unnoticed. To make them visible, we need particle detectors. The development of do-it-yourself detectors and the development of concepts that make this topic accessible is an important focus in Bonn.
Are you studying physics and looking for a thesis where you can develop your own detector concept?
Bilingual Masterclasses
In a bilingual masterclass, the lectures and communication with the mediators are partly held in English. This concept offers students a great opportunity to authentically experience the international nature of research and acquire practical language skills.
Are you interested in a bilingual masterclass? Can you imagine teaching masterclasses during your studies or would you like to contribute to the further development of the concepts? Then get in touch with us!
Machine Learning Masterclass
Modern methods for data analysis are playing an increasingly important role given the large amount of data that has to be analyzed in particle physics experiments at CERN or KEK and have become an integral part of current research. In this masterclass, participants will evaluate particle physics events using a neural network and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of machine learning methods in physics and society. The masterclass was developed at the University of Münster and didactically enhanced in collaboration with PUNCH.
Both pupils and students can get involved and become a part of Netzwerk Teilchenwelt!
Deine Möglichkeiten im Netzwerk Teilchenwelt
Become a member in the network
As a student, you can take part in a master class as a tutor to qualify for the Netzwerk Teilchenwelt CERN workshops. Students who finished school and started university programs can take part in the fellow Program.
Become a facilitator
Do you study physics or work in particle physics? Do you enjoy communicating science and would you like to participate in the network's activities in Bonn?
Offers for fellows and facilitators
Students and young people who participate in the network have the opportunity to take part in various nationwide and regional offers via the Netzwerk Teilchenwelt. The University of Bonn has been a node (regional hub) in the Netzwerk Teilchenwelt network since 2019 and organizes additional events for mediators and fellows within this framework. If you would like to be informed about the next dates of events for young people and fellows at the University of Bonn, you can subscribe to this mailing list.
Onboarding Events
Once a quarter, the Netzwerk Teilchenwelt in Bonn organizes a nationwide online onboarding event for prospective mediators and new location contacts. The first part of this event introduces Netzwerk Teilchenwelt. Subsequently, a specific format or masterclass will be presented as part of "Spotlight On...". The Spotlight On format also offers an opportunity for nationwide and cross-location exchange on a specific measurement/masterclass and to present new developments in the network.
Workshop on Science Communication
As part of Netzwerk Teilchenwelt, Bonn offers an annual workshop on science communication in English. The workshop covers the basics of science communication, the preparation and communication of research content and methods to young people, as well as interactive and participatory methods.
The workshop includes theoretical learning units as well as practical exercises, providing participants with tips and suitable materials to effectively communicate the physics of the smallest particles in a vivid manner.
Additionally, the workshop features insights from external speakers and allows time for best-practice exchange among the participants.
Particle Café
At the event regularly organized by the node, young people and students who are members of the fellow program of Netzwerk Teilchenwelt can engage in discussions with scientists and alumni of the University of Bonn in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee and cake. This provides an opportunity to learn more about possible paths into science.
These are the local contact persons for Netzwerk Teilchenwelt in Bonn. You will find the respective contact persons under the individual offers.
Prof. Dr. Florian Bernlochner
2.011
Nussallee 12
53115 Bonn
Dr. Maike Hansen
Raum 2.003
Nussallee 12
53115 Bonn
Sebastian Laudage
Raum 2.003
Nussallee 12
53115 Bonn
Dr. Barbara Valeriani-Kaminski
1.042
Nußallee 12
53115 Bonn
