MaGIC: the magic of physics class
From Wallonia, Flanders, Germany, the Netherlands, England and even Australia, 25 physics teachers are expected to arrive in Maastricht on Sunday 17 August for MaGIC. For a week, the teachers will brush up on their knowledge of gravitational waves, with a focus on the relationship with the Einstein Telescope.
Broad interest
The letters in “MaGIC” stand for “Maastricht Gravitational Inspiration Curriculum”. The creator and organiser of this first edition of the summer course is Gideon Koekoek. He spends part of his time as associate professor of physics at Maastricht University on outreach: demonstrating and drawing attention to the broader importance of physics. And in this Euregio, which is working hard on its bid to build the Einstein Telescope, that telescope also plays a major role in the summer course.
Gideon Koekoek: “That’s how you have to see it: the Einstein Telescope simply has to come to this Euregio. A lot of work is being done to achieve this at the scientific and political-administrative levels, within innovative businesses and also in the immediate vicinity. The focus on young talent in education is also an important pillar, because you have to think about the future,‘ says Gideon, explaining the background to MaGIC. ’In addition, gravitational waves will reveal the most exciting mysteries of the universe. We have to share that with everyone, including in the classroom!”
Maastricht University and Province of Limburg
His role in the development of the Einstein Telescope Education Centre in Kerkrade, among other things, also led to MaGIC. Gideon Koekoek is keen to pass on the credit: “I may have taken the initiative, but without the active, practical and financial support of my employer, Maastricht University, and also the Province of Limburg, this would never have got off the ground. The University and the Province of Limburg are demonstrating how important they consider cooperation in the field of education in the Euregio,” he explains.
Physics is universal, of course, but the content of physics lessons differs in for example the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. This summer course is intended to bring teachers up to the same level. The focus on gravitational waves plays an important role in this, as interest in this topic is growing, partly thanks to the Einstein Telescope.
Not too difficult
The programme also includes ways of making difficult subjects more accessible to pupils. “It’s a bit like “train the trainer”. Teachers often don’t cover such topics in their lessons because the material is too difficult or because it doesn’t fit in with the existing curriculum. But the physics needed to understand and teach gravitational waves fits in perfectly with the material they already teach. In MaGIC, we will work to demonstrate this, in order to make physics more manageable and more enjoyable,” explains Koekoek. For part of the programme, the group of teachers will visit the ETEC in Kerkrade.
MaGIC therefore fits seamlessly into the activities that this Einstein Telescope Education Centre (ETEC) is carrying out to soon be able to welcome secondary school classes from neighbouring countries. The complete programme is currently being translated.
Useful and enjoyable
Gideon Koekoek is collaborating with the Canadian Perimeter Institute and the American CalTech, which are world leaders in outreach and education. The organiser predicts that the programme will be useful, but also enjoyable. The next few days will be hectic for him as he goes through everything one last time. Programme finalised: check! Hotels arranged: check! Teaching locations arranged: check! Transport arranged: check! Meals arranged: check! MaGIC can start on Sunday!
