Undergraduate students at Kenyatta University participatied in the Pierre Auger International Masterclass in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - Internet Reactor Laboratory (IRL). The Masterclass at Kenyatta University was started by the Dean, School of Pure and Applied Sciences – Prof. Michael Gicheru. He was joined by senior members of staff in the Department of Physics to start off this unique event at the University. The Masterclass is organized by the International Particle Physics Outreach Group (IPPOG) in collaboration with the Pierre Auger Observatory and some of the world's leading institutions of higher education. The Masterclass provides students with an opportunity to attend lectures on cosmic ray physics and data analysis sessions by experts in the field of astro-particle physics. This the first time this Masterclass is held in Kenya. Experts from seven local Universities and external experts have joined efforts to hold this Masterclass at Kenyatta University. The Pierre Auger observatory is the world's largest astro-particle physics experiment located in the Pampa Amarilla in Western Argentina. An array of surface detectors covering an areas of about 3000 square kilometers are used to detect and measure the Ultra-High-Energy-Cosmic-Ray (UHECR) particles from the Universe. This in order to understand their origin, existence and interactions in the Universe. During the Masterclass the students’ interests ranged from understanding the fundamental physics to applications of cosmic rays in our atmosphere. The Masterclass contributes to developing the interest in fundamental physics research among our students.
More information:
IPPOG International Masterclasses
https://physicsmasterclasses.org/
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
IAEA - Internet Reactor Laboratory (IRL) Project
https://nucleus.iaea.org/sites/connect/RRIHpublic/Pages/IRL.aspx
Pierre Auger Observatory
https://www.auger.org/observatory/observatory
