2006 Nobel Prize Winner George Smoot and 2011 Nobel Prize Winner Saul Perlmutter are seeking  students and teachers  for the eighth annual summer workshop for high school students and teachers presented by  the Physics Division of the Lawrence Berkeley Lab  and Quarknet in conjunction with the Berkeley Center for Cosmological Physics.

The Physics in and Through Cosmology workshop will be held at the

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory adjacent to the University of California Berkeley Campus

beginning Monday, June 23 and ending Friday, June 27.

The workshop is designed for highly motivated high school students with an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and for science teachers who wish to broaden their knowledge of particle physics & cosmology. The format allows participants to attend lectures and work in small groups under the guidance of master teachers.

The ideal student applicant will have completed algebra, geometry, advanced algebra, and Chemistry and have completed or will be taking Physics next year.  The ideal teacher applicant teaches high school Physics or related subject and is comfortable working in mixed groups of students & teachers.

Every participant will increase his or her knowledge of the universe; its history, structure and fate.  Top scientific investigators will examine how they use the basic principles of physics to study the universe.   Prior knowledge of cosmology and particle physics is not necessary.

What to expect:

• Hear detailed talks by, and meet young scientists working on the frontiers of international cosmology research.
• Tour international research facilities at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
• Learn physics principles through hands-on activities guided by Bay Area master physics teachers.
• Build relationships with talented high school student colleagues from around the SF Bay Area or other teaching professionals.
• Receive recognition for your accomplishments that can be used in college applications.
• Experience an immersion into the world of science and technology that will stay with you for a lifetime.

As a student stated on the final evaluation: “I learned so much about cosmology and gained a newer confidence. When I get closer to the realm of current scientific discoveries, I felt like I was becoming closer to becoming a real scientist. I also liked the lecture style that made it seem like I was in college. I enjoyed making friends with similar smarter students.”

A teacher’s comment was: “ I always learn more than the students do – it is a week for me to challenge my own thinking!”

Visit the following web sites to see past workshops: http://bccp.berkeley.edu/o/Academy/workshop4.html  (click on the video), http://bccp.berkeley.edu/o/gtaworkshop2011.html

For more information and applications contact by email Laurie Kerrigan at LKerrigan@mercyhs.org.

Please send in your application as soon as possible. More applicants apply than we can accommodate.