Description

The "Particle Detectives" is a DIY, low-cost, portable science show that enables participants to explore a variety of interesting interactions to demonstrate the existence of particles and their interactions. Through hands-on experiments, participants become “particle detectives,” investigating our world made up of particles.

This show has been designed to be modular to allow maximum flexibility. Experiments can be switched in and out, depending on the level of the audience, available materials and other local constraints. If followed as is, the main script should last approximately 40 minutes and is suitable for the general public or middle school / lower high school audiences.

You can learn more about the science shows offered at CERN here.

Material List

• Cardboard box (approx. dimensions 42 x 32 x 25 cm)
• Garbage bag (e.g. 20 L)
• Packing tape
• Scissors
• Bubble wands
• Empty beer bottle
• Thin transparent tubing
• Balloon
• Coloured water
• Plastic straws
• Paper
• Fluorescent highlighters
• Red light source
• Blue light source
• Tonic water
• UV light source
• Sodium chloride, potassium chloride and boric acid 
• Alcohol
• Plastic beads
• Lighter

Instructions

The script of the show and assembly instructions are collected in the Particle Detectives Experimenter Guide. You can access the full guide here.

Ideas for educators

• An annex is included with a handful of other experiments, which can be added or substituted for a longer show, to adapt for older/younger audiences and if any of the main sequence experiments prove difficult to source materials for or to otherwise include.