About

The QuarkNet Workshop, specifically the Physics In and Through Cosmology workshop at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), is a free, week-long physics education and research immersion for high school teachers and students. For 2026, the LBNL session is scheduled for June 16–20. Operated through a national network of university and national lab sites, the program connects participants with active research in high-energy physics, dark matter, and cosmology. Students and teachers engage in presentations from Berkeley Lab scientists, including Nobel Laureate Saul Perlmutter, and delve into topics such as the ATLAS Experiment at CERN and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI).

The 2026 LBNL student schedule runs Monday through Wednesday and Friday, while teachers attend the full five-day week, including a dedicated pedagogy and planning day on Thursday. Eligibility extends to high school students and teachers with a strong interest in physics; the application window typically opens in early February 2026 and closes in late March. Participation is offered at no cost. Teachers receive a staff development stipend (ranging from $120 to $600 based on center tenure) through the national QuarkNet framework, which is funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy.

Instruction and mentorship are provided by LBNL physicists and graduate students. Activities include hands-on experience with cosmic ray muon detectors, Python-based data analysis, and small-group research projects where students interview scientists and present their findings. QuarkNet is institutionally grounded in a collaborative national framework designed to bridge secondary education with active scientific inquiry. Participants finish with hands-on data experience and a deeper insight into particle physics and cosmology. While the program does not confer academic credit, it serves as a premier research immersion for students interested in pursuing advanced physics and cosmology beyond the classroom.