The Standard Model Workgroup

1. The Standard Model Workgroup Final Report July 18, 2003

2. Michael Wadness Andras Lutter Emilia Estadao Ramon Cid Peter Dunne Athanasios Christophilopoulos Jaroslav Cizek Xinghua Jin Kristina Zuza Lidija Babic John Charters The Group

3. Outline of Report • Report of the group • Lesson One Overview • Lesson Two Overview • Full Presentation of Lesson Three • Discussion

4. Report of the Group Outline • Our Initial Goal • How We Worked • What We Accomplished • What We Discovered

5. Our Initial Goal • To Understand the Standard Model • To Investigate the Rationale • To Determine if the Standard Model could be taught in three lessons. • Content • Lessons • To Briefly Explain Further Developments

6. The Rationale Session 1: Why Teach the Standard Model / Particle Physics? The group discussed possible arguments against the inclusion of particle physics in teaching programs, then examined counterarguments, before coming up with the following consolidated list ofReasons for Teaching about the Standard Model.

7. Reasons for Teaching about the Standard Model • 1.    Curiosity is a natural human characteristic. People have always been particularly interested to learn about their origins and the origins of their world. The Standard Model is the best explanation we have of the origins of the universe, and students have right to know about it.  • 2.    The story of the historical development of the Standard Model gives an excellent picture of the way science works, as a developmental process and an example of the co-operative nature of scientific development.

8. 3.    The Standard Model can be introduced to students in a descriptive fashion and provide a good understanding. But can be further developed mathematically, for those who wish to progress to higher levels. Thus the subject is accessible to students of all levels of ability and with various preferred learning styles. • 4.  Particle Physics (along with the linked topic of Astrophysics) is at the forefront of modern developments in science. Including this topic will give students an appreciation of the fact that physics is an ongoing area of development, harness their natural interest in these subjects and provide skills and knowledge for an unknown future, as well as contributing to the level of scientific understanding within society.

9. 5. Resources are being developed to facilitate the inclusion of such programs, and their presentation in the classroom and laboratory.

10. Content • Three Lessons  • Level-General High School Physics Students • Lesson One-Historical Development • Lesson Two-Particles and the Standard Model • Lesson Three-Interactions • Activities-Bubble Pictures, Particle Forming, Feynman Diagrams

11. How We Worked • We Divided into four Subgroups • One for each lesson and one for activities.

12. What We Accomplished • Gained a greater understanding for SM • Developed a Rationale for teaching SM • Developed three lessons for teaching SM on a level that is suitable for all high school students.

13. What we discovered • To teach the weak interaction a fourth lesson is required. • To discuss future developments a fifth lesson might be necessary. • Some found previous HST resources helpful, but not directly applicable to these lessons. • We should have spent more time reviewing ideas at an earlier stage. • Teachers need to be educated on SM

14. Discoveries (cont.) • The SM can be taught with simple math. • Here is the proof! • Overview of Lesson One • Overview of Lesson Two • Full Presentation of Lesson Three

15. Disclaimer • Remember the intended audience and time constraint for the lessons. • Lessons are simplified and some major principles are omitted. • Overall Goal: To give students, regardless of ability, a basic understanding of the standard model. • The inclusion of some material and how it is to be delivered is left open to the discretion of the teacher.