1. Postcards from QuarkNet One Mentor’s View Randy Ruchti University of Notre Dame and NSF

2. R. RuchtiQuarkNetDPF200630 October 20062 A Mentor’s “Notes to Self” I am a teacher and a researcher. –I think I can convey effectively what I do… –I can work will all sorts of students… I am a physicist. –I can do anything…

3. R. RuchtiQuarkNetDPF200630 October 20063 Ideas… Recognize that a physicist is not necessarily: –An education professional –A public relations professional Needed: new allies and colleagues: –A few like-minded individuals to start discussing and planning.] –Develop a pilot concept –Develop a critical mass –Expand the concept into an enduring program To reach students, you need to engage teachers

4. R. RuchtiQuarkNetDPF200630 October 20064 Challenges How do I find teachers, even one teacher? How do I get the support to get started? How do I work with someone who isn’t a traditional participant in the research process? How do I set up a workshop? How do I work with high school students? Formulate some ideas GET PROFESSIONAL HELP…

5. R. RuchtiQuarkNetDPF200630 October 20065 Thoughtful reflection… It’s about the science –It’s about sharing the science Its about building community Its about adding value Its developing a story – a science story –Through communicating and mentoring –Through immersive experiences for stakeholders It’s the story that endures…

6. R. RuchtiQuarkNetDPF200630 October 20066 A QuarkNet Story The University of Mississippi QuarkNet Center Mentors: Jim Reidy, Lucien Cremaldi, Don Summers, and their staff Lead Teachers: Ken Wester, Jim Reidy Jr.

7. R. RuchtiQuarkNetDPF200630 October 20067 QuarkNet  USCMS Fellows  Students Students from the Columbus High School in the state of Mississippi with their physics teacher Ken Wester (left at rear) and Michel Della Negra, CMS spokesman (in front). An American school at CERN ? Unusual, to say the least... Yet 15 students from the class of Ken Wester, physics teacher in the Columbus High School, Mississippi, didn't hesitate to travel thousands of kilometres to come to CERN. Ken Wester participated last year in CERN's High School Teacher programme. Enthralled by his visit, he has organised the trip for his final year students to visit CERN. The 18-year-olds arrived on the 10th March and spent two days at the laboratory, visiting the CMS construction site and the AD antimatter factory, before leaving on a tour of Switzerland and Germany. [credits: CERN Bulletin, CERN Photo] An Example of how things can work: QuarkNet: Ken Wester is a lead teacher of the Mississippi QuarkNet Center. Summer 2002, he was a USCMS Fellow at CERN. March 2003, he took his physics class to tour CERN and to see CMS and the LHC. Another student group went more recently. (Picture courtesy of CERN Bulletin)

8. R. RuchtiQuarkNetDPF200630 October 20068 Work supported in part by: NSF and DOE.

9. R. RuchtiQuarkNetDPF200630 October 20069 Postcard