You can download the Introductory Activities [PDF]
Teachers – the text below has been designed to be read as a script to introduce the activity to your students. Text in brackets is information for you.
💻 You will need:
- Introductory quiz: Acrostic Team Game [PPT]
- To share the unique registration link your received with your login details
You have the opportunity to participate in an online, STEM-enrichment activity called the CERN Zone. In it you can get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at nuclear physics experiments by connecting with research teams working at CERN.At CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), scientists are uncovering what the universe is made of, and how it works.
This is a great starting point for an EPQ on nuclear physics, or something to include on your personal statement on your UCAS application.
To get started, we’re going to look at the teams taking part and come up with new names, based on the letters in their acronyms. We want to come up with interesting and creative names that also have a nuclear physics link to them. The class with the best names will win a £50 WHSmith voucher for the class! (Do the quiz with the class)
Once we’re finished go and find out what their names actually are, what the letters stand for and what their team is researching (we suggest you save the student registration link on your online learning platform for students to use). Set up a profile using the link from the online learning platform. It takes 2-minutes to do. (Students can do this in the lesson or as a homework in their own time. We suggest that students use their first name and initial of their surname for the username).
📖 (Homework idea) After you have set up your profile, read about the teams and ask at least one of the teams a question. Once the scientists have answered your questions, I can see what you have been asking! (You can see this from your Dashboard)
Once you have logged in, you will be taken to your Dashboard. From January, you will find a list of live Chats, on various topics, for you to attend. You should try to attend at least 1 a month. These Chats are all text-based, moderated and real-time, allowing you to find out more about life as a CERN scientist.
Once you follow a team you will find project news and updates on your Dashboard.
There will be a termly quiz on the website. Use the team updates, team profiles and scientist profiles to answer the quiz independently. The winning student will get a £20 voucher!
Now you know what to do, get started! (Students set up profiles and have a look at the teams)