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 |
Sessio 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.)