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Neutrino physics
Full text linkThis is an update of the lectures previously published in arXiv:1708.01046. The topics discussed in this lecture include: general properties of neutrinos in the SM, the theory of neutrino masses and mixings (Dirac and Majorana), neutrino oscillations both in vacuum and in matter, as well as an overview of the experimental evidence for neutrino masses and of the prospects in neutrino oscillation physics. We also briefly comment on the relevance of neutrinos in leptogenesis and in beyond-the- Standard-Model physics
Statistics and machine learning for high-energy physics
Full text linkThese lectures introduce some of the main ideas of frequentist and Bayesian statistics as well as supervised machine learning with a focus on the probabilistic interpretation of the latter. The ideas are illustrated using simple examples from particle physics
Practical statistics excerpts from 2023 European School of High Energy Physics
Full text linkThese lecture notes provide an overview of fundamental statistical concepts used in high-energy physics research. The discussion begins with the philosophy of statistics, emphasizing its role in analyzing experimental data, correcting biases, and ensuring precision. Key estimators such as mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis, which help summarize datasets, are introduced. Various probability density functions (PDFs), including Binomial, Poisson, and Gaussian distributions, are explored to demonstrate their relevance in data modeling. Methods for analyzing data, such as maximum likelihood estimation and ChiSquare tests, are presented, offering techniques for extracting meaningful insights from observations. The notes also cover hypothesis testing, explaining concepts like false positive rates, p-values, and significance levels for evaluating scientific claims. Practical applications include setting observational limits and improving statistical methodology. By applying these techniques, researchers can ensure rigorous data analysis, enabling reliable conclusions and impactful discoveries in physics
The Unbearable Lightness of Uncertainty
Full text linkAs many others, the sentence above emerged during a sunny July afternoon while the IdeaSquare Self-Appointed Innovation team (ISSAIT) consumed pizza. It was clear to everyone that a possible answer to this conundrum required starting the research from almost the very beginning…yes THAT beginning. So here they went
Regard croisé sur 10 ans d'innovation en EDD: Rétrospective et prospective
Full text linkThis editorial looks back over ten years of innovation in education for sustainable development (ESD), supported by the foundation éducation21, and over five years of support for innovative ESD projects at Universities of Teacher Education (UTE) in Switzerland. These anniversaries provided an opportunity to present some of the UTE projects supported by éducation21 at a meeting of UTE professors in December 2023 at the UTE in Bern. Following the meeting, some of the presentations were published in the present themed issue of PriSE. This editorial also presents éducation21's understanding of ESD, updated in 2023 and structured around three concepts: education, sustainability and sustainable development. éducation21 proposes a dynamic model of ESD that integrates scientific, political and pedagogical developments. This vision emphasises the importance of ethical, pluralistic and transformative approaches in education, adapted to the various Swiss regional contexts. 52 innovative ESD projects were submitted to education21 since 2019, 19 of which were selected for financial and conceptual support. These projects lead to the creation of teaching resources - such as guides for teachers, books and fact sheets for pupils, touring exhibitions or digital applications - aimed at promoting cross-disciplinary skills such as systems thinking, taking responsibility and managing controversies. Discussions between UTE professors at the December 2023 meeting showed that interdisciplinarity between the social and natural sciences is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the challenges of sustainable development. The participants also felt that a ‘single’ understanding of ESD was not feasible. However, a shared vision between UTEs of the specific elements of ESD would enable national progress to be made, particularly within the institutions themselves as well as within the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education or swissuniversities, the umbrella organisation of the Swiss universities. In conclusion, education21’s support for ESD projects at Universities of Teacher Education is a catalyst for innovation in ESD. It encourages collaboration, national dissemination and the sustainable anchoring of these practices in the Swiss education system
Neutrino physics
Full text linkSurpassing all expectations, the Standard Model has predicted the outcomes of nearly every experiment conducted thus far. Neutrinos have no mass in it. However, we have gathered strong evidence in the last twenty years suggesting that the neutrinos have small but non-zero masses. These masses are a real delight because they allow neutrinos to oscillate and change flavor. I go over the characteristics of neutrinos both inside and outside the Standard Model in these lectures, as well as their incredible potential. I also revise the bits of data that defy the standard picture of the three neutrinos and discuss the possibilities of employing neutrinos to uncover any physics hidden outside the Standard Model
Digitale Werkzeuge im Natur- und Technikunterricht : Ein Projekt mit Studierenden der Sekundarstufe 1
Full text linkHintergrund: Die Integration von Informatik in den NT-Unterricht spielt heute noch keine grosse Rolle in der Ausbildung von Lehrpersonen. Es mangelt an Vorbildern und Selbstvertrauen bei den angehenden Lehrpersonen.
Zweck: Die Absicht des Projekts DIWENT war es, dass Studierende mit der Unterstützung von den Kursleitenden, selbständig eine Unterrichtssequenz erarbeiten können, und diese auf der Zielstufe anwenden. Es wird erwartet, dass die zukünftigen Lehrpersonen durch das exemplarische Umsetzen auch langfristig digitale Werkzeuge im NT-Unterricht erproben und einsetzen werden.
Stichprobe/Setting: Der Beitrag fusst auf Erfahrungen der beiden Dozierenden zum Einsatz von Sensoren und Mikrocomputern in einer Kurswoche und auf Beobachtungen in der Begleitung von vier Teilnehmenden in der Umsetzungsphase.
Design und Methode: Im Sinne der designbasierten Forschung werden das Seminar und die Umsetzungsprojekte der beteiligten Studierenden beschrieben und es wird über ausgewählte Beobachtungen im Prozess berichtet.
Ergebnisse: Die individuellen Projekte der Teilnehmenden lassen sich grundsätzlich als gelungen betrachten. Dabei sind sie eher komplexer ausgefallen als für die Unterrichtspraxis sinnvoll. Es hat sich zudem gezeigt, dass die individuellen Voraussetzungen der Teilnehmenden die Begleitung durch die Kursleitung anspruchsvoll macht, sowohl im didaktischen wie auch im fachlichen Bereich.
Folgerungen: Durch vermehrte Vorgaben lässt sich verhindern, dass die Teilnehmenden sich selbst und die technischen Möglichkeiten überfordern. Unser Ansatz bietet wertvolle Anregungen für eine Aufnahme von angewandten Informatikkenntnissen in das reguläre NT-Ausbildungscurriculum an pädagogischen Hochschulen.
Schlüsselbegriffe: Computer programmieren, Naturwissenschaftsdidaktik, Messverfahren, Sensoren, Ausbildung Lehrer:innen
Digital tools in science and technology lessons – a project with pre-service teachers for lower secondary schoolBackground: The integration of computer science in science classes does not yet play a major role in the training of teachers. There is a lack of role models and self-confidence among prospective teachers.Purpose: The aim of the DIWENT project was for pre-service teachers to develop a lesson sequence independently with the support of the course leaders and to apply it at the target level. It is expected that by implementing examples, the future teachers will also try out and use digital tools in science lessons in the long term. Sample/setting: The article is based on the experiences of the two lecturers in the use of sensors and microcomputers in a one-week course and on observations made while supporting four participants in the implementation phase.Design and method: In the sense of design-based research the seminar and the implementation projects of the participating pre-service teachers are described and selected observations in the process are reported.Results: The individual projects of the participants can be considered a success in principle. The projects turned out to be more complex than is useful for classroom practice. It also became apparent that the individual prerequisites of the participants made it challenging for the course management to provide support in both didactic and technical areas.Conclusions: By providing more guidelines, we were able to prevent the participants from overwhelming themselves and the technical possibilities. Our approach offers valuable suggestions for incorporating applied computer science knowledge into the regular science and technology training curriculum at teacher education universities.Keywords: computer programming, science pedagogical practices, science measurement methods, sensors, teacher trainin
