The First International Masterclass – Hands on Particle Physics

In cooperation with the University of Montenegro – Faculty of Economics and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the Ministry of Science has organized the first international programme “Masterclasses – Hands on Particle Physics”, under the auspices of CERN and IPPOG (International Particle Physics Outreach Group).

The programme was attended by fourth grade students from vocational secondary schools and gymnasia from Podgorica, Nikšić, Pljevlja, Bar and Cetinje, who had a unique opportunity to take part in this international programme and get familiar with real research life in one of the most attractive areas, particle physics, the Large Hadron Collider.

During the programme, a virtual visit to CERN was organized, during which the students could see the machines and plants and have an insight into a typical working day of researchers, asking them questions about the issues encountered during their working day.

Masterclass was opened by the Minister of Science Sanja Damjanović, who held a lecture on CERN, i.e. participation of young researchers in scientific institutions.

The Minister has stressed that young researchers get involved in international projects very early, immediately after secondary school, and that this information should be an encouragement for them in their professional and scientific development. CERN currently hosts more than 3,000 PhD students, which shows that young people are the key to success. The Minister has also looked back on her research experience at CERN, familiarizing students with the functioning of the institution and informing them about the experiments that are currently being implemented, as well as the practical application of the discoveries of this scientific organization.

- Since we know only five percent of the universe, the rest are unknown dark matter and dark energy, so it is up to future generations, i.e. you, to discover the mysteries of the universe, said Minister Damjanović in her keynote address.

After the Minister of Science, those present were addressed by CERN researchers, Dr. Predrag Milenović, who explained the concept and functioning of Masterclass, and Dr. Jelena Jovićević who tackled the topic of the Large Hadron Collider, familiarizing the students with the manner of operation of the particle accelerator.

A lecture for students about the theoretical and experimental aspects of elementary particles and their interactions was held by Itana Bubanja and Jelena Mijušković from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Montenegro, who spoke on the topic of: “Particle physics – theory, experiment and the role of University of Montenegro in it” and “Quarks and gluons in the world of elementary particles”.

In the afternoon session, students did an analysis of data and the particle identification based on experimental events recorded in the experiments at CERN.

In addition, they had the opportunity to discuss the results, through a live video conference, with other students and scientists taking part in their Masterclass events around the world.

The international programme “Masterclasses – Hands on Particle Physics” brings together 200 research institutions and about 13,000 secondary schools from 55 countries around the world and is held every year in March