K-12 resources

Students can be attracted to nuclear science at a young age through their fascination with astronomy, or the mystery of quantum mechanics. FRIB's involvement with K–12 teachers and students is an opportunity to spread understanding of FRIB's work and science and to recruit the scientists who will follow in our footsteps.

Upcoming

Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) is a free week-long program for current high-school students. The 2023 program is planned to be in-person 23-28 July 2023. Apply now!

Physicists Inspiring the Next Generation: Exploring the Nuclear Matter (PING) is a program that targets both pre-college students and undergraduate students (who serve as mentors). The 2023 session is 16-29 July 2023, and the application deadline is 23 April. Apply now!

In-person resources

Teachers and students may be interested in laboratory tours. Full tours generally include demonstrations, an introduction to the goals and methods of nuclear science, and a walk-through of laboratory locations. Learn more on the FRIB tours page.

FRIB hosts and/or participates in a number of science programs to allow students and young researchers the opportunity to explore the world of science. FRIB's researchers often take their enthusiasm for nuclear science on the road, visiting classrooms science festivals to share their work with curious students. Learn more on the Science programs and science festivals page.

FRIB scientists are eager to share the excitement of their work with school children of all ages. Learn how to request a guest speaker.

Isotopolis video game

“Isotopolis” is an exploratory game about the process of discovering rare isotopes. In the game, players accelerate particles and assemble new isotopes in the effort to complete the table of nuclides in a process inspired by what goes on at the nanoscopic level within a cyclotron.

The game was developed in the Games for Entertainment and Learning (GEL) Lab at MSU. The target audience of the game is those with a middle-school level knowledge of science. 

Learn more on how to play Isotopolis by visiting the gamedev.msu.edu website. For instructions on playing the game, watch the YouTube video.

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