A research-based online particle physics course for high-school students

by Julia Woithe (CERN)

Friday 30 Oct 2026, 10:00 → 11:00 Europe/Zurich

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From the big bang to black holes, from elementary particles and the fundamental interactions that govern our universe to the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, our knowledge of the world builds on modern physics. To make our current-best understanding available to all, we need to invest in educational research and bridge the gap between those who know science, those who teach science, and those who learn science. 

This month, we will discuss a paper by Jeff Wiener and Julia Woithe from CERN.

Abstract: 

We have developed and published CERN’s online particle physics course for high-school students. The course design is grounded in educational reconstruction, cognitive load theory, and research on the nature of science, with particular attention to linguistic accuracy and model-based representations. The course was evaluated during a three-month pilot phase involving 3841 users, out of which 35% completed all chapters, and survey data showed high perceived enjoyment (89%), easiness (89%), and interest (87%). In this article, we outline the main design principles, curriculum decisions, and evaluation results, demonstrating how research-based approaches can support engagement and conceptual understanding in physics education.

Paper:

Wiener, J., & Woithe, J. (2026). A research-based online particle physics course for high-school students. Physics Education, 61(4), 043004. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-6552/ae7ba1/meta

Access the online course: https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/view.php?id=19669

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20261027_JW_PPC_IMPRESS.pdf

20261027_JW_PPC_IMPRESS.pptx

GMT20261030-090235_Recording_1920x1200.mp4

Teaching material by Michael Kobel (German)