2025 Annual Report

The 2025 New Mexico QuarkNet Workshop, hosted at the University of New Mexico's PAIS building from July 14–15, successfully brought together educators and researchers to explore particle detectors and data analysis. Highlights included presentations by Saheed Oyeniran and Hijas Farook on the LHC and particle detectors, alongside practical activities such as "Shuffling the Particle Deck," "Rolling with Rutherford," and the use of cloud chambers and Cosmic Watch detectors.

The second day emphasized collaboration and classroom application, featuring a Teacher Share-A-Thon and a tour of the UNM Nuclear Labs. Participants worked in groups to finalize Cosmic Watch investigations and present their findings, while also engaging in World Wide Data Day (W2D2) activities to analyze ATLAS data using the Hypatia tool. The workshop concluded with a creative session building CMS models from Legos, followed by final evaluations and a social gathering to strengthen the local physics teaching community.

UNM Mentor: Professor Sally Seidel

UNM Lead Teachers: Kayla Mitchell and Lexi Pickel

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