1. In 2011, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the World’s most powerful particle accelerator, collected more data than ever from particle collision experiments at CERN in Geneva. The biggest particle detectors ever built are investigating the origin of mass and studying the fundamental particles that were present at the beginning of the Universe…….. The experiments bring together thousands of scientists from dozens of countries - including the Particle Physics group at the University of Birmingham. Possible ATLAS event ALICE Detector LHC Tunnel How do they do this? What physics principles do they need to know? The World Wide Web….now the Grid…where next? Medical scanners And what useful technologies have emerged from the experiments in the past?

2. An exciting Opportunity to…. Enhance your Physics studies Develop Key Communication Skills Make personal links with Research staff at a leading University Win money to help finance a trip to CERN National competition 2011-12 Cascading Physics Ideas using examples from Particle Physics at CERN STFC What is involved? Groups of 2-4 A Level or GCSE students are invited, with support from their teachers, to prepare a - short, but interesting & stimulating, video relating to how physics ideas can be introduced or demonstrated using the experiments at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN - lasting 3-4 minutes - aimed at a particular & specified age group (your choice!) The videos will then be judged by a team from the University – Particle Physics experts and teachers - Prizes will be awarded for up to the best 6 entries submitted.(to help fund CERN visits) Prize winners will be invited to an event at the University to collect their prizes – in June/July 2012 - Lunch with Particle Physics researchers & students - Discussions with academics Winning videos will be uploaded onto the web and schools will be invited to use them to introduce concepts in the classroom Please see web information for details of competition rules and procedures., IF YOUR SCHOOL IS INTERESTED IN TAKING PART……………………. PLEASE RETURN THE REGISTRATION FORM ASAP!!

3. Competition information & rules A competing team will consist of 2-4 students (AS or A2 or GCSE students or mixed), and each team member must make a recognisable contribution to the video presentation – either by appearing on the video or preparing its content The video presentation must last 3-4 minutes in total. The video presentation could include a Power point element, live demonstrations, drama, original computer animations or whatever you think works – the choice is wide open! It could be serious or humorous BUT MUST CONVEY ACCURATE PHYSICS INFORMATION. There will be a website set up by University students to access and an e-mail support system for any advice or questions. You will be able to see winning clips from similar competitions in 2007-8 2008-9 & 2010-11 You will need to send in - a CD or USB memory stick with copies of your video presentation (flash or windows media) - details of the students who compiled/starred in the video – their school year etc - details of the school / college etc & specify the age of the student audience the video is aimed at. to reach us by March 23 rd 2012

4. Your video presentation should be suitable to be used in the classroom as an extra teaching resource when the topics are introduced in normal curriculum delivery – eg as an engaging introduction to the topic or as interesting examples related to the topic etc. Your video could be based around one of the following topics : - Using electric fields to accelerate particles - Energy calculations - Conservation of energy - Conservation of momentum - Using magnetic fields to deflect particles - Equations of motion - Circular motion - Forces in Physics - Relativity - Conductors and superconducting materials – creating super large magnetic fields or submit your own idea for approval!! Useful websites: http://public.web.cern.ch/public/en/lhc/lhc-en.html http://www.ep.ph.bham.ac.uk/index.php?page=general/outreach/index http://www.hep.ph.bham.ac.uk/VideoAnimationCompetition/Welcome.html http://www.hep.ph.bham.ac.uk/cascade/index.php?p=_Downloads http://www.learningwithatlas-portal.eu

5. Judging Criteria All presentations will be judged on hitting the correct level for the specified audience and on the originality/innovation of the video produced Knowledge of the subject matter and clarity of explanations (20%) Quality of video presentation –we don’t expect professional quality but it should be clear/audible/easy to follow (20%) Originality/innovation (20%) Audience appeal – is it interesting and captivating? (20%) Pace and variety of methods used to get the key messages across (20%) NB you should not copy & paste material wholesale from the web or any other source. Any photographs etc used should be acknowledged on the entry details form.