Particle Physics Masterclasses

RAL's Particle Physics Masterclass is a series of one-day events for sixth form students and their teachers, lead by particle physics researchers. These classes provide excellent support for the material on Particle Physics which is in many 16+ curricula.

The event is run by our partners at STFC and more information about the content of the days can be found on the RAL activities for schools webpage. 

The Masterclasses at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) provide the chance to hear talks by leading Particle Physicists from RAL and CERN, a tour of one of our particle accelerators (the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source and Diamond Light Source) and use data from the Large Hadron Collider to find a Higgs Boson with staff from RAL’s prestigious Particle Physics Department.  

One day of the masterclass will be entirely online: the day will consist of talks from our Particle Physics Department, virtual tours of one of our particle accelerators and an interactive computer-based activity using real LHC data. To participate in the data workshop, students will need access to a computer with an internet connection. 

The three other days of the masterclass will be held in-person at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (OX11 0QX). There will be talks in our lecture theatre, tours of our particle accelerators and a chance to use real LHC data in our interactive workshop. Some talks will be live-streamed via Zoom from our lecture theatre - schools can join these remotely.  

When booking, you will be asked to specify which day(s) you would prefer to attend. Please note that all under-18s must be accompanied by an adult when visiting the laboratory. As many of our events are oversubscribed, once registration of interest closes spaces will be allocated on a random basis and all schools will be contacted to let them know whether or not they have spaces. 

If you have any questions, please contact visitral@stfc.ac.uk. 

The Particle Physics Masterclasses is held each March. When registration of interest opens it will be available from the STFC here:STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) Events and Tickets | Eventbrite