SummerWorkshop2007

From MariachiWiki

MARIACHI Summer 2007 Workshop

at Stony Brook

June 25-29, 2007
Nuclear Structure Laboratory
Physics Department, Stony Brook University
8:30AM-4:30PM, daily
Directions to the NSL
Brainstorm

Brainstorm

Enter here to put your brainstorming ideas for future research. Some ideas will be winners, and some won't, but all ideas are valid.

Participants

Alphabetical by last name

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MARIACHI is an experiment that makes use of cutting edge computer technology to gather and analyze experimental cosmic ray data collected over a wide geographic area. Located at high schools, colleges and national laboratories, MARIACHI data acquisition computers gather data locally, and securely upload data to the main server located at Stony Brook University, while preserving information integrity. This experimental topology was chosen for the search of temporal coincidences between radar return signals and particle detection from a cosmic ray shower. A positive answer would validate radar technology as viable for the detection of ultra high energy cosmic rays over very large areas. MARIACHI data acquisition sites will also simultaneously collect digital data from unconventional sensors that measure terrestrial electric and magnetic field, ultrasound, infrasound, and lightning. Correlation between these parameters can be used to study a number of basic scientific problems that probe the influence of cosmic rays on terrestrial weather and their correlation with solar weather. MARIACHI takes full advantage of forefront software development to implement a data analysis strategy for all participants. Innovative tools facilitating the submission of science projects to computer farms for analysis will be available to a large number of participants.

MARIACHI is a collaborative effort that involves a diverse group of people located over a wide area. For this reason MARIACHI implements the use of asynchronous and synchronous collaborative tools to exchange information. Tools such as secure email, secure wiki and blog are being used to create a common MARIACHI knowledge database. The same technology is being exported to a larger teacher community for the creation of a knowledge database for teaching. MARIACHI is establishing a videoconferencing server to allow efficient communication amongst its members. MARIACHI's strategy for science investigation involves teams of scientists, teachers and students working on a research subject. It is envisioned that teams formed around certain subjects will carry out each research. Starting from jus a few topics it is expected to grow with nucleation of new ideas and teams.

The MARIACHI summer workshop is designed for physics and research teachers, as well as high school students interested in pursuing research projects. The workshop will be a combination of training, brainstorming, and hands-on sessions. We will review the science reach of the experiment, review the equipment that is available to schools, the experiment's cyberinfrastructure, and the data collected. The use of a secure wiki and email, and other cyber-communication tools will be reviewed. Through brainstorming sessions the goal of the workshop is to catalyze groups around common research interests and establish tracking mechanisms to monitor progress. Students should come away from the workshop with a research plan and the beginnings of a project.

Specifics


  • Audience: MARIACHI teachers and students. Each school may send teams of a physics teacher, research teacher and up to 2 students.
  • Instructors: R. Gearns, J. Hover, M. Marx, H. Takai and D. Vavilov.
  • Hours: 8:30 - 4:30 daily. Total: 30 hours.
  • Location: Nuclear Structure Laboratory, Physics Department, Stony Brook University.
  • Cost: No cost to participants - supported by a grant from NSF.

Topics


Contact Information


  • For information: contact Dr. Helio Takai via email (takai-at-bnl.gov)

Workshop Schedule


Monday


Tuesday


  • 08:30 - 10:00 Report from the findings on Group Work
  • 10:00 - 12:00
  • 12:00- 13:00 Lunch
  • 13:00 - 15:00
  • 15:15 - Group Work: Back to group research

Wednesday


  • 08:30 - 09:00 - Good Morning with cloud chamber and Cosmic Chris
  • 09:00 - 11:00
  • 11:00 - 14:00 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and BBQ
  • 14:00 - 15:30 Overview of MARIACHI computing - Grid Computing, Certificates and Data Acquisition Report on first data being collected - John Hover
  • 15:30 - 16:30 Group Work


Thursday


  • 08:30 - 09:00 - Good Morning with questions and answers.
  • 09:00 - 10:00 - Everything you wanted to know about black holes but were afraid to ask - Mike Inglis
  • 10:20 - 12:00 - Observing the sun (outdoors activity)
  • 12:00 - 13:00 Lunch
  • 13:00 - 13:30 - Cloud Coverage and cosmic rays - results from a study performed by students: David Lewine
  • 13:30 - 14:20 - Detector Building workshops, installation, performance of detectors - Dima Vavilov
  • 14:30 - 15:30 - It is time to make your question - Helio
  • 15:30 - 16:30 - Group Work - Preparing Presentations

Friday


  • 8:30 - 9:00 - Good Morning with questions and answers
  • 9:00 - 12:00 - Presentations by groups (schedule to be worked out via sign up sheet)
  • 12:00 - 13:00 Lunch
  • 13:00 - 16:00 - Collaborative effort
    • - List of Research Projects
    • - Follow up meetings
    • - Video Meetings
  • 16:00 - 16:30 - Closing


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