Maastricht Gravitational Inspiration Curriculum (MaGIC)
An all-in summer course for teachers, on the physics of the Einstein Telescope and how to effectively teach this in upper high school physics classes.
Since the first discovery of gravitational waves in 2015, gravitational wave detectors around the world have opened a treasure trove of the Universe! The Einstein Telescope, the next generation detector, is about to be built and will make Europe the heart of scientific discoveries.
This offers great opportunities for teachers, as the science and technology of gravitational waves have a surprisingly strong connection with secondary school curricula of physics. Einstein Telescope is ideally suited to show students that they can understand the newest discoveries, practice the physics of their high school curricula in an exciting setting, and to play an active role in it.
The MaGIC summer course provides teachers with a solid theoretical background and educational methods to bring gravitational waves to the classroom!
The topics covered in the MaGIC Summer school
Instrumentation science: laser technology, waves and vibrations, Newtonian damping, data-analysis techniques, modelling of sources.
Modern physics: theory of relativity, black holes, gravitational waves and their sources, astrophysics, cosmology.
Didactical techniques of physics, built on the high school curriculum of physics.
Programme
| Day | Theme/Topics | Activities | Location(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Arrival and Welcome |
| Maastricht |
| Monday | Relativity Theory and Gravitational Waves |
| ETEC |
| Tuesday | Practicals in Class |
| ETEC |
| Wednesday | Measuring Gravitational Waves |
| ETpathfinder, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Plein |
| Thursday | Scientific Maastricht & Limburg |
| Gouvernement, Het Pesthuysp, City Park |
| Friday | Multimessenger Astronomy & Local Learning Communities |
| ETEC, Maastricht |
| Saturday | Farewell and Departure |
| Hotel |
Session information
Lectures on instrumentation
The lectures on instrumentation will be given by Prof. Dr. Stefan Hild and other members of the research group Gravitational Waves and Fundamental Physics of Maastricht University. Stefan is a professor of experimental physics at Maastricht University, and project leader of the ETpathfinder. Stefan and his team are leading experts in measurement techniques of gravitational waves.
Workshops on didactics
The workshops on didactics will be given by Dion Skitsko, MSc and. Dave Fish,MSc. Dave and Dion are faculty member and workshop designers at the prestigious Perimeter Institute for teacher professional development, a global leader in developing new approaches to physics education.
Workshops on classroom practicals
The workshops on classroom practicals will be given by Emma Prins, MSc., Annabel Wolf, MSc. Emma and Annabel are physicists with extensive experience in coordinating and delivering hands-on education at the Discovery Museum and the Einstein Telescope Education Centre.
Lecture on the history of gravitational wave research
The lecture on the history of gravitational wave research in Europe, the Netherlands, and Maastrichtwill be given by Prof. Jo van den Brand. Jo is emeritus professor of Nikhef, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Maastricht University, and has held many prestigious leadership roles in the European gravitational wave program, including Spokesperson of Virgo and Director of the Einstein Telescope Consortium.
Guest lectures
Guest lectures on adjacent branches of fundamental science, such as multimessenger astronomy and science communication, will be given by various speakers, such as Amber Strunk, MSc, Dr. May Lee, Dr. Chris North, and others.
What
Summer school in Maastricht, the Netherlands, for teachers of upper class high school physics from all countries in Europe. The programme is offered in English.
Organised by
A renowned team of scientists, didacticians and workshop leaders from the Einstein Telescope project, Maastricht University, the Einstein Telescope Education Centre, CalTech, and Perimeter Institute.
About
Theory of relativity, gravitational waves, measurement techniques, astrophysics, and didactics for embedding in upper physics classes of a high school lesson programme.
When
Sunday 17th of August to Saturday 23rd of August 2025. Lectures in the morning, didactics workshops in the afternoon, and social programme in the evening.
Where
Accommodation in the city centre of Maastricht, lectures and workshops in the Einstein
Telescope Education Centre, at Maastricht University, and at the ETpatfinder laboratory.
Social programme in Maastricht city centre.
Costs
€300, which includes all accommodation, breakfasts, lunches, tea/coffee/snacks, as well as learning materials, and social programme. (Travel to Maastricht is not included.)
Speakers
Stefan Hild
Stefan Hild is full professor of gravitational physics at Maastricht University, and is a world-leading expert in gravitational wave detection techniques. He leads the construction of ETpathfinder, a European R&D facility that develops much of the instrumentation for the Einstein Telescope. Within the MaGIC programme, Stefan will present an introduction to the ETpathfinder and how it overcomes the challenges to make precise gravitational wave measurements possible.
Emma Prins
Emma Prins is a PhD candidate at Maastricht University and Nikhef, with a BSc and MSc in Physics and Astronomy and an additional major in Science Communication. Before starting her PhD research, she worked as coordinator of the Einstein Telescope Education Centre, in parallel to doing research at Nikhef. Her current research focuses on radiative cooling techniques for the ETpathfinder, as well as the effectiveness of gravitational-wave themed educational initiatives. In the MaGIC programme, she will host the practical workshops.
Annabel Wolf
Annabel Wolf is a science communicator with a background in physics and astronomy. Holding a BSc and MSc in Science for Energy and Sustainability, she brings experience from roles such as content lead at the Einstein Telescope Education Centre and presenter at NOVA’s planetarium. Her work bridges science, creativity, and public engagement. In the MaGIC programme, she will host the practical workshops.
Brecht Slootmaekers
Brecht Slootmaekers is a PhD candidate at Maastricht University and Nikhef. He is a trained astrophysicist, having completed his MSc in Astrophysics as a dual degree at the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, with a particular focus on gravity. His research centres around gravitational wave source modelling, with a specific interest in the fundamental theory of gravity and binary star system evolution. In the MaGIC programme, Brecht serves as overall scientific explainer.
Gideon Koekoek
Gideon Koekoek is associate professor at Maastricht University. He is an expert in the field of Einstein's theory of relativity and gravitational waves, and coordinates regional, national, and international educational projects, including for the Einstein Telescope Education Centre and the Dutch Black Hole Consortium, and is a well-known lecturer and science communicator at all levels. In the MaGIC programme, Gideon serves as overall coordinator and will provide the lectures on General Relativity.
Dave Fish
Dave Fish has been a high school Physics teacher for over 30 years. His involvement with Perimeter Institute dates right back to the beginning with the initial development of ISSYP, EinsteinPlus and several other outreach activities. He has played a leading role in the production of most of the Perimeter classroom resources. He has given workshops on modern physics at all levels. Dave is currently a Teacher in Residence at Perimeter Institute, Canada. In the MaGIC-programme, Dave will host workshops of bringing relativity into the class room.
Dion Skitsko
Dion Skitsko is a high school physics teacher with nearly 30 years of classroom experience. He has extensive experience with writing and reviewing physics curriculum and resources. Dion is a winner of the Canadian Association of Physicists Teaching Award and his involvement with Perimeter Institute goes back to 2005. He has been a facilitator at Perimeter’s EinsteinPlus teacher workshop, as well as at the LIGO International Physics and Astronomy Educator Program. In the MaGIC-programme, Dave will host workshops of bringing relativity into the class room.
Jo van den Brand
Prof.dr. Jo van den Brand is emeritus full professor of physics at Maastricht University, and is one of the founders of gravitational wave science in the Netherlands. Aside from having been spokesperson of the Virgo Collaboration, Jo has been in the directorate of Einstein Telescope, being one of the driving forces of both projects. In the MaGIC programme, Jo will deliver a lecture on the history of gravitational waves in Europe.
