From now on, four new locations will enrich the activities of the Netzwerk Teilchenwelt. Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Helmholtz Institute Jena, Bielefeld University and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) join the thirty research institutions that bring their research on the fascinating world of particle physics to the public under the leadership of TU Dresden.

Connecting research institutes, schools and places of learning to foster young talent in STEM fields and communicating about particle physics in an exciting and understandable way - this was the goal of the countrywide Netzwerk Teilchenwelt when it was founded in 2010. "With each new member, we continue to develop and reach more young people and teachers. This allows us to provide an insight into the world of the smallest particles from a variety of research perspectives and focuses," says the head of the project, Prof. Michael Kobel from TU Dresden.

With the Helmholtz Institute Jena, the network gains its first member in Thuringia. The institute – an outstation of the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research - investigates particles using high-power lasers and particle accelerator facilities and strives to get young people interested in this innovative field of research.

Together, Forschungszentrum Jülich and Bielefeld University represent not only their home state of North Rhine-Westphalia, but also theoretical particle physics. Both locations are already actively involved in science communication and popularization through science workshops and learning programs for schools. As a member of the Netzwerk Teilchenwelt, Bielefeld University intends to expand its range of public events on particle physics and reach a wider audience. The JuLab school laboratory at Forschungszentrum Jülich with its practice-oriented formats for youth can be seamlessly incorporated into the network's program.

The inclusion of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf is also a further step in the networking of research institutes in Saxony. This will further expand the existing partnership with the DeltaX school laboratory at the HZDR. By integrating the learning opportunities offered by the Netzwerk Teilchenwelt, students will receive new opportunities to experience particle physics first-hand and take on the role of physicists.

About Netzwerk Teilchenwelt:
Netzwerk Teilchenwelt (Network ‘Particle World’) is a project that communicates particle physics to young people and teachers, involving more than 30 research institutes throughout Germany as well as CERN. It is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the KONTAKT2 project (Communication, Recruitment of Young Scientists and Sharing the Discoveries in the Field of the Smallest Particles with the General Public). The project is led by the TU Dresden. The German Physical Society (DPG) is the patron of Netzwerk Teilchenwelt.

Contact:
Svitlana Semerenko
Communication Netzwerk Teilchenwelt
Tel.: +49 351 463-33792

www.teilchenwelt.de