Campus Gandia of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) has taken part in the V Astroparticle Marathon in Gandia and La Safor, an initiative held between December 2 and 4 in various educational institutions in Gandia, Oliva and Villalonga.
This initiative, organized by Campus Gandia researcher professors and experts in neutrinos, Joan Martínez and Miquel Ardid, featured talks, workshops and experiences carried out by expert staff from the University of Alcalá, Universitat Politècnica de Valencia, University of Valencia and the Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC, Valencia) attended by secondary and high school students from I.E.S. Gregori Maians (Oliva), I.E.S. Vall de la Safor (Villalonga) and I.E.S. Veles e Vents (Grau de Gandia).
Astroparticle Physics is a field of research that combimes Particle Physics, Astronomy and Cosmology. If Astronomy studies the Universe by looking at light (made up of particles called photons), Astroparticle Physics does it by studying other particles that come from the cosmos with energies that are much higher even than those produced in particle accelerators. These particles offer essential information about events that occur in the Universe, such as supernova explosions or the formation of black holes. The aim of Astroparticle Physics is to understand the composition and evolution of the Universe.
The objective of this Astroparticle Marathon was to promote vocations in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) among the youngest members of our community. What is the Universe composed of, what is dark matter and what are the cosmic rays that constantly pass through us from outer space? These are some of the topics chosen to spark an interest in Astroparticle Physics among the students present.
The activities were given by Miquel Ardid and Joan Martínez, from Campus Gandia (UPV); Luis del Peral, from the University of Alcalá; Antonio Ferrer and Julia Suso, from the University of Valencia; Mª Dolores Rodríguez, from the University of Alcalá; and Avelino Vicente and José Valle, from IFIC, Valencia.
Over the three days, the students had the opportunity to talk openly about science and the work carried out by researchers in order to learn more about their profession.”The students asked many questions about the mysteries of the Universe, which could be explained through astroparticle physics”, commented Joan Martínez Mora.
The event ended with a closing ceremony held on Friday afternoon in the Conference room of Campus Gandia, with the talk titled “From the electron to the Higss”, given by Antonio Ferrer, followed by a round table discussion with the participation of all the experts attending initiative.
ASTROPARTICLE MARATHON
This V Astroparticle Marathon in Gandia and La Safor is part of a series of astroparticle marathons that have been carried out throughout the national territory during this year 2020: the I Astroparticle Marathon at the Huesca Planetarium in February, the II Marathon in Barco de Ávila in August, the III Marathon in Santiago de Compostela in October and the IV marathon in Teruel in November.
The action is funded by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) coordinated by Mª Dolores Rodríguez Frías from the University of Alcalá.
R&D&I Management and Promotion Officer at Campus Gandia
