IPPOG Resources Database

Video series

Author(s): Paterson, Mike, PFILM Ltd

Submitted by: lila.mabiala@cern.ch

Published: February 7, 2011

Video series

Colliding Particles - Hunting the Higgs (video series)

Colliding Particles is a series of films following just one of the teams of physicists involved in the research at the LHC. The project documents their work at the frontiers of particle physics, exploring the human stories behind the research and investigating the workings of the scientific process itself. It is designed to support the How Science Works element of key stage 4 of the English national curriculum. The films have been made to illustrate aspects of the way in which science develops. They show scientists discussing their work, how they collaborate and compete, and the relationship between experiment and theory in science. Although the idea of the Standard Model of particle physics and the existence of the Higgs particle are unlikely to be part of the formal curriculum for most students, these films can still be used when you wish to discuss aspects of HSW and to stimulate interest in the process of scientific discovery. Because the scientists are describing an on-going process of discovery, the films have a natural story thread running through them. You can download each episode, as well as a special Classroom Edit of each film which is broken into sections to accompany the teachers notes and powerpoint presentations and activities.

Topics

Matter, Particles and the Universe (Known Physics)
Particles and Their Interactions
Higgs
Particle Physics and Society
Why Fundamental Research
International Collaboration
People Behind the Science

School Topics

Nature of science
Scientific inquiry and reasoning
Matter
Mass

Online use

Yes

Videos and other links