LEGO Chart of Nuclides: Inspiring Future Physicists

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Nuclear Physics is crucial in many branches of medicine and for power generation, as well as being a large area of fundamental research. However, it often has negative connotations and the subject is not well understood. The present project aims to use a hands-on LEGO activity to engage school students and teachers with the underlying principles of nuclear physics and to allow them to discover how these fundamental properties of matter lead to the development of applications. By demonstrating the links between Nuclear Physics and areas such as astrophysics, fusion and fission energy, medicine, and accelerator technologies, the project aims to inspire a new generation of nuclear physicists. Teachers and school students will be introduced to the topic by active STFC researchers, who will be trained in public engagement to allow them to communicate their research effectively to non-specialists. A high researcher to student/teacher ratio will ensure that all participants will have the opportunity to speak to a researcher on an individual basis, and thus learn first-hand what modern nuclear research entails. The opportunity for students, in particular, to meet current researchers and find out about cutting edge science aims to both dispel myths and encourage the students to continue to study Physics to a higher level. Teacher workshops will be developed and delivered in association with the National Science Learning Centre and, in addition to being curriculum linked, will include current developments in the field and will highlight the role of STFC facilities, including CERN-ISOLDE, GSI-FAIR, GANIL-SPIRAL2, and GAIA. The project will initially run as a pilot project and has the potential to be expanded into a national programme for teachers, with resource kits (including the LEGO) available on loan.