Speaker
Description
This session features two classroom‑ready demonstrations drawn from particle‑physics–inspired QuarkNet activities. Participants will model radioactive decay using dice to explore half‑life, mean lifetime, and the probabilistic nature of particle processes. They will also reenact Rutherford’s indirect‑measurement technique by rolling marbles toward hidden targets and using collision statistics to infer size—mirroring how physicists probe structures they cannot directly observe. Both demonstrations require minimal materials, scale easily for outreach or workshops, and highlight how simple experiments can build authentic data‑analysis skills. Attendees will leave with adaptable activities that bring modern physics practices into introductory courses while strengthening students’ intuition for randomness, modeling, and discovery.
