Category Archives: Outreach

It’s public …

5 October 2015LEGO, Outreach, PhysicsSascha

… my first ever public note on outreach :)
“Building Blocks of the Universe – using stackable plastic bricks to impart knowledge in particle physics“

Abstract: This article presents possibilities to impart knowledge of and enthusiasm for particle physics to essentially all non-expert target audiences by the use of LEGO bricks and models of particle physics experiments built from these. Methods of using LEGO models, both as a passive exhibit and as part of interactive outreach events, are presented, along with a historical review of the “Build Your Own Particle Detector” programme and the corresponding idea of hosting competitions in building detector models in LEGO pieces as a perfect setting to grasp people’s attention, get them involved and ultimately convey knowledge in particle physics to them.

PopScience, BYOPD and PhD Comics

26 September 2015CERN, Geneva, LEGO, Outreach, SwitzerlandSascha

Yesterday, we had another PopScience BYOPD event in Geneva. While it was a bit calm in the morning it ended up quite nice with a decent number of visitors/participants in the afternoon. In fact, I had Jorge Cham, creator of PhD Comics, joining the competition. Unfortunately, I missed his talk and the showing of the PhD Movie sequel the day before. Luckily, I could make it up with a nice autograph from him (see below).
For the actual European researchers’ night, there were discussion of the physics in movies such as Gravity, Interstellar, Star Trek or Angels & Demons as well as a screening of Particle Fever and a discussion with some of physics cast.

Science Night in Garching

28 June 2015LEGO, LMU, Outreach, PhysicsSascha

Yesterday, I had yet another great Build Your Own Particle Detector outreach event as part of the Science Night in Garching. With the large Atlas Lego model, a little particle physics exhibition and a great team of students from my group at LMU, we managed to talk to hundreds of visitors. And 36 models entering the BYOPD competition (also for the audience award) is not a bad number either :)

Looking forward to the next one … 25 September 2015 at Balexert in Geneva, Switzerland.

Wrapping it up at the George Lamb Show

14 June 2015CERN, LEGO, Outreach, PhysicsSascha

Last week I had the pleasure to get one minute of private air time on the George Lamb Show to talk about LEGO and the LHC.
Here’s the link to the podcast (itunes) of the show, which actually turned out to be a LHC special, also featuring ATLAS colleague Clara Nellist.
My part starts at about 01:01:30 (ten minutes to the end).

New office decoration

13 April 2015LEGO, LMU, Munich, OutreachSascha

Last week some colleagues (and in some cases their family) helped building yet another one of the large Atlas Lego models. Thanks a lot!
For now it’s a nice decorative addition to my office interior :)