TO: Student Researchers FROM: Fermilab Education Office

DATE: RE: Fermilab Assignment

In the late 1960's particle physicists predicted the existence of six quarks. These elusive particles were reputed to be among the smallest building blocks of matter – even smaller than protons. Physicists named the quarks Up, Down, Strange, Charm, Bottom, and Top. Five of the quarks were identified by 1977 but one quark – the Top, which is the most massive – was not. It took almost 30 years, but in 1996 physicists discovered Top in Fermilab's two collider detectors, CDF and D0. Fermilab physicists have just completed the commissioning of a new accelerator, the Main Injector, and are currently upgrading the collider detectors in preparation to run more experiments and take more data. Fermilab's Education Office has the responsibility of helping students understand the work of the Lab. We have found that an effective way to accomplish this is by allowing students to explain the Lab to each other. We would like you to help us by doing research on the Lab and presenting your ideas to your classmates on our behalf. Begin by following the links at the bottom of this page. They'll send you to pages that will help you get started on your research. Your first task will be to decide what form your project will take. You may want to create a set of posters, a pamphlet, a website, or whatever you think will be the best way to get your message across. When you've decided on a format for your work, submit a proposal to your teacher. Once your proposal has been approved, you can start to put your project together.

Fermilab Research Links

Please email the program contact with your comments on the site.