Saara Naudts, OAPT Contest Editor, Physics Teacher North Park SS
Sara.naudts@peelsb.com
 
Each December, teachers from across Canada have an opportunity to experience what goes on at one of Canada’s biggest research facilities. After an easy application process, including a generous amount of available funding and very helpful communication with Tracy Walker the CLS outreach coordinator; I and several other teachers flew out to Saskatoon to visit the synchrotron December 5-7, 2015.

To attempt to explain the magnitude and impact of this scientific instrument would be futile. Instead, to capture the awe of this program, I “storified” some of the tweets posted during that weekend to give you an overview of the novel research that goes on in the many disciplines, all enthusiastically explained by various CLS scientists.
 
https://storify.com/msnaudts/canadian-light-source-teacher-workshop/preview
 
What we need to take back to our classroom is that the era of doing science in white lab coats has passed; a multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach is on the horizon.
 
I would strongly recommend attending the CLS Teachers’ workshop in the future for your own professional development, and at the same time you get training allowing your students to participate in Canadian Light Source’s award winning “Students on the Beamlines” program.  (http://www.lightsource.ca/education/students.php)

More info about the Teacher Workshop: http://www.lightsource.ca/education/teacher_professional_development.php

Tags: Field Trip, Modern Physics, Professional Development