JINA Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics
Nuclear Science: the GamesNuclear Science: the GamesSponsored by JINA and NSCL at MSUSponsored by JINA and NSCL at MSU
JINA is supported by the National Science JINA is supported by the National Science Foundation through the Physics Frontier Center Foundation through the Physics Frontier Center program.program.
JINA Nuclear astrophysics
Michigan State University’s
NationalSuperconductingCyclotronLaboratory
One of the JINA centers; a focal
point for nuclear theory and
research
JINA Studying the atomic nucleus
An atom
Proton
Neutron
Electron
The nucleus
All matter is made of atoms, and the nucleus is the heavy core of the
atom
JINA The Problem(s)
An atomic nucleus is as small
compared to you…
…as you are compared to our
ENTIRE solar system
• Nuclei are incomprehensibly small
• A lot of terminology• The word “nuclear”
JINA The Message
There are MANY different isotopes of various elements, most are unstable and don’t exist on Earth.
We have a lot to learn about nuclei!
Pro
ton
s (E
lem
ents
)
Neutrons (Isotopes)
JINA Why games?
• Active• Stealthy• Comfortable• Repetitive• Competitive• More fun!
JINA Marble Nuclei
• A hands-on way to model nuclei, radioactivity, & reactions
• Presented as stand-up demo or complete lesson (for use on- or off-site with easily-accessible equipment and instructions)
• 250+ teachers trained to use model/lesson/activities (games), 150+ more have downloaded the materials
Audience: General Public/Grades 7-12
Contact time: 5 minutes/2 hours/none
Outcome: General understanding of nuclear research goals/methods at NSCL
Cost: Free download, some materials provided via grant
JINA Magnet safety
The silvery magnet at the core of your “nucleus” is a rare-earth or neodymium magnet… very strong for its size.1.Don’t put that magnet in contact with anything that is magnetically sensitive (credit cards with a magnetic stripe, for instance)!2.If you get two of them together, careful they don’t pinch your fingers!3.You will likely drop some (or all) of your marbles. If you can’t find them, they are probably attached to a metal table leg or similar.
JINA Build a model nucleus
• Proton (positive, heavy)• Neutron (neutral, heavy)• Electron (negative, light)• Positron (positive, light)• (ignore)
Magnetic marbles make it possible!
JINA Marble nuclei activities
p-p chain
Nucleosynthesis Game
Isotope BINGO
JINA Instant Feedback
• What did you learn?• What made sense (“clicked”)? • What was confusing?• Suggestions?
JINA Other games
• CNO Cycle (solitaire)• Climb the Chart
(Chutes & Ladders)• Thomas Jefferson
National Accelerator Laboratory (education.jlab.org) Games & Puzzles
JINA Recurring Themes
• Simple, short (repeatable)• Borrows from known game
mechanic• Good ideas can come from
anyone/anywhere• Created through
collaboration• Thorough explanation of
game rules is critical
JINA Partnerships: find the expert
• Collaborations allow for multiplication of effort (i.e. 1+1>2)
• Researchers and Game Design faculty at MSU are currently working on an app to teach nuclear science while the gamer smashes nuclei
JINA Making a game
• Who is your audience?• What are your goals?• How can you make a game out of them?
– What will make it fun?– What will make it educational?
• Pair & Share now– Exchange ideas; what works?– Discussion to follow; what general/specific
suggestions can you share with the group?
JINA Outreach Philosophy
• Adapt your message to many audiences
• Be flexible• Differentiate yourself from
formal learning• Complement formal
learning• Partner with experts• Leverage your unique
experience and environment
• (almost) Always say yes• Let word-of-mouth attract
new audiences
JINA Find out more
www.jinaweb.org/html/outreach.htmlwww.jinaweb.org/html/outreach.html
www.nscl.msu.edu/outreachwww.nscl.msu.edu/outreach
[email protected]@nscl.msu.edu