Visualising particle physics workshops
The community arts group In-Pubic (co-founded by Ian Andrews and Sarah Fortes Mayer) have been collaborating with the University of Birmingham particle physics group to develop a series of workshops for schools. So far they have run over 15 different workshops tailored to both students and staff.
The workshops developed with Professor Kostas Nikolopoulos are designed to operate at different levels for different participants and explore the relationship between fine art and particle physics.
The exercises explored in the workshops use artistic visualisation techniques to give visual form to particle characteristics and interactions to aid understanding and stimulate further interest. They utilise the interrelationship between drawing, photography, sculpture and performance and offer an “art school ” experience for students, pupils and adults in addition to providing an introduction to particle physics.
Running alongside this exhibition and taking place in the gallery space there were a series of workshops for secondary and primary schools and other community groups.
The initial workshops were developed as part of the EU-supported CREATIONS project.
Ian Andrews and Professor Kostas Nikolopoulos have co-authored an academic paper entitled “Introducing particle physics concepts through visual art”, which was published in the Journal “Physics Education”. The Institute of Physics, through the West Midlands branch, is supporting further development of the workshops.
Attendees said:
“Putting art and science together makes it easier to learn!”
“I learnt what makes up the world around us and got to visualise it”
“I now know what a Quark is!”
“The workshop was so good-everyone came away with a real buzz. What I learnt was a) the power of getting pupils to visualise new and complex ideas in different ways and b) not to stereotype our students who proved they can cope with, and enjoy being presented with, very challenging ideas away from the exam system.”