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9th Annual Sci-Ed Day

Workshop Descriptions

General workshop registration closes on November 1, 2019.


Integrating Low-Cost Computing into Secondary School Science Demonstrations using Wolfram Mathematica and Raspberry Pi Devices

Audience: Secondary Educators

Description: BNL wants to help secondary school science teachers enhance their traditional workbench demonstrations with a light touch of modern computing. During this fun and interactive workshop, each educator will access an assigned Raspberry Pi device to write a few simple Mathematica programs to visualize and analyze real world experimental data. Using low-cost but highly accurate sensors connected to Raspberry Pi devices can help increase science intuition while reinforcing the natural laws governing those classical demonstrations.

Raspberry Pi devices are low-cost, small form-factor personal computers that run a fully functional installation of Wolfram Mathematica, which is the premier symbolic computation program used in many scientific and engineering fields. Teachers will learn about the foundations of Scientific Computing and will review how BNL can help districts integrate these short demonstrations into their existing science curriculums.

Maximum # of participants: 20 (Available Spaces: 5)


Structural Biology: Determining Protein Structures

Audience: Secondary Educators

Description: Scientists at Brookhaven’s National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II) study the molecular structure of proteins in order to determine their function in biological processes. Participants will learn about the science of life as they grow protein crystals and learn about new protein crystallography techniques used by scientists. Additionally, participants will model beamlines used at the NSLS-II and produce different diffraction patterns.

Maximum # of participants: 20 (Available Spaces: 8)


Transit of Mercury on November 11

Audience: Secondary Educators

Description: On November 11 the planet Mercury will transit across the face of the Sun. This rare event can be seen in New York from 7:36 AM to 1:04 PM. Astronomers in the past have used transit of planets to make accurate calculations of the distance of the Earth from the Sun (astronomical unit). To prepare our students for this event, this workshop will introduce teachers to the concept of parallax via an outdoor activity. Participants will then use parallax and data from Mercury transit to calculate the astronomical unit.

Maximum # of participants: 20 (Available Spaces: 0)


BNL Engineering Contests: MagLev and Bridges

Audience: Secondary Educators

Description: Brookhaven National Lab sponsors several contests each year to enrich the learning experience for local school districts. During this workshop attendees will participate in hands on activities related to the MAGLEV Contest and the Bridge Contest. Learn about the contests, meet our volunteers and discuss tips and tricks for the contests. Hear from engineers with expertise in electrical, control, and process engineering who contribute to superconducting coil fabrication which will have a key role in future accelerator research and development.

Maximum # of participants: 20 (Available Spaces: 0)

All registrants must bring a photo ID to enter the Main Gate at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Participants will meet in Berkner Hall.

Directions will be given at the Main Gate. Berkner Hall is located on the corner of Brookhaven Avenue and Columbia St. Busses will transport participants to facilities tours and workshop locations.

Last Modified: October 29, 2021