Belgian Teacher Programme

12 Apr 2026, 17:00 → 17 Apr 2026, 14:00 Europe/Zurich

CERN

Francois Briard (CERN), Jeff Wiener (CERN), Aurelie Lawaree (CERN)

For about 20 years, CERN has organized National Teacher Programmes that bring together secondary-school physics teachers from all its Member States, Associated Member States, and selected Non-Member States. Through lectures, on-site visits, exhibitions, and hands-on workshops, participants are introduced to cutting-edge particle physics, enabling them to return to their countries as ambassadors who inspire the next generation of physicists, engineers, and IT specialists.

While some Belgian teachers have had the opportunity to take part in the French-language Programme, the Dutch-language Programme, or more recently the SSVI Teacher Programme, the 2026 edition will be the first official national programme, in English, since 2013. It represents a unique opportunity to discover CERN together with physics teachers from across Belgium.

Check the left-hand side menu for eligibility conditions, practical information, programme of activities and application form. Application deadline: 1 February 2026

CERN Belgian Teacher Programme 2026 - Promotional document.pdf

Sunday 12 April

17:00 → 21:00 Welcome to CERN!

Monday 13 April

09:00 → 12:30 Lectures

09:00 Film Discover CERN

09:15 Introduction to CERN

Speaker: Francois Briard (CERN)

09:45 Coffee break

10:00 Data Science (TBC)

12:30 → 13:45 Lunch break

13:45 → 17:45 Visits

13:45 CERN Control Centre & Magnet Test Facility Hall SM18

The bus leaves in front of the CERN Hotel (Building 39) at 13:45!

13:45–14:00 Transport from the CERN hotel to SM18
14:00–14:30 SM18
14:30–14:45 Transport from SM18 to the CCC
14:45–15:15 CCC
15:15–15:30 Transport from the CCC to the CERN hotel

15:30 Coffee break

16:00 Synchrocyclotron & ATLAS control room

The whole group meets outside the Main Building at 16:00!

16:00–16:15 Walk from the CERN Main Building to the SC
16:15–16:45 Synchrocyclotron
16:45–17:00 Walk from the SC to ATLAS
17:00–17:30 ATLAS Control Room
17:30–17:45 Walk from ATLAS to the Main Building

18:00 → 20:00 Social Events

Tuesday 14 April

09:00 → 12:30 Lectures

09:00 Magnets - An essential component of particle accelerators

Speaker: Frederic Savary (CERN)

09:50 The third long shutdown (LS3) of the CERN accelerator complex

Speaker: Jean-Philippe Tock (CERN)

10:40 Coffee break

11:00 Introduction to the Physics of Accelerators

Speaker: Frederik Van der Veken (CERN)

12:00 VIsit of the Large Magnet Facility

Speaker: Frederic Savary (CERN)

12:30 → 13:45 Lunch break

13:45 → 17:00 Visits

13:45 Cloud Chamber Workshop & Science Gateway Exhibitions

The whole group meets in the Main Building at 13:45!

13:45-14:00 Walk to Science Gateway
14:00-15:30 Cloud Chamber Workshop
15:30-17:00 Science Gateway Exhibitions

19:30 → 21:00 Social Events: Film screening

Wednesday 15 April

08:30 → 10:15 Visits

08:30 Antimatter Factory & Data Centre

The whole group Leaves from the CERN hotel (Building 39) at 08:30!

08:30–08:45 Walk from the CERN Hotel to the Data Centre
08:45–09:15 Data Centre
09:15–09:30 Walk from the Data Centre to the AD
09:30–10:00 Antimatter Factory
10:00–10:15 Walk from the AD to Building 6

10:15 → 12:30 Lectures

10:30 Research with radioactive ion beams at ISOLDE/MEDICIS

Speakers: Hanne Heylen (CERN), Sven De Man (CERN)

12:30 → 14:00 Lunch break

14:00 → 21:30 Social Events

14:00 Discover Geneva Treasure Hunt

We will provide you with your personal treasure hunt brochure. Please prepare 8 CHF to buy the "Tout Genève 9h" ticket. Once you successfully finish the treasure hunt there will be a delicious cheese fondue waiting for you!

19:30 Official Dinner of the Belgian Teacher Programme 2026

Although it's the formal dinner of the programme, please wear clothes that you feel comfortable in. The treasure hunt will lead you directly to the

Cave Valaisanne – Chalet Suisse
BD Georges-Favon, 23
1204 Genève
www.chaletswiss.ch

Thursday 16 April

09:00 → 12:30 Lectures

09:00 The Standard Model of Particle Physics

Speaker: Frederik Van der Veken (CERN)

10:15 Coffee break

10:45 Detectors (TBC)

12:30 → 13:30 Lunch break

13:30 → 16:00 Visits

13:30 CMS

The bus leaves in front of the CERN Hotel (Building 39) at 13:30!

13:30–14:00 Transport from the CERN Hotel to CMS
14:00–15:30 CMS
15:30–16:00 Transport from CMS to the CERN Hotel

18:00 → 20:00 Social Events: Reception (TBC)

Friday 17 April

09:00 → 11:30 Lectures

09:00 FCC Feasibility study

Speaker: Jerome Pierlot (CERN)

09:45 Careers and internship opportunities

10:30 Coffee break

10:45 CERN and the environment

Speaker: Benoit Delille (CERN)

11:30 → 12:30 Closing session

11:30 What's next?

Speaker: Jeff Wiener (CERN)

12:00 Certificate & Goodie Bags