Session Description

How to Engage Advanced Undergraduate Physics Majors in a Research Project with an Outreach Component

R. Jeffrey Wilkes - Physics

We are engaged in a project to put cosmic ray detectors in high schools around the seattle area, and connect them in a network. Physics majors are required to do PHYS 400 (independent study) and this project provides an interesting subject for them.

We have them do laboratory work in support of the project, and also meet with and mentor high school groups. But this must be done in the context of a one-quarter or at best few-quarters independent study course.

We've accumulated some experience in how to get students involved quickly and effectively.