Nerds Searching for WIMPS
Students are introduced to dark matter, a mysterious particle that is much more abundant than anything in the universe but has not (yet) been detected. Learn about the LUX-Zeplin (LZ) experiment, and its search for dark matter, while exploring light!
Curriculum module media
The Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) is working to solve a big mystery. Researchers know about visible objects like stars and planets, but there's even more out there that is invisible. This is called "dark matter," and it holds everything in space together.
Light makes it possible to see, and comes from a variety of sources, like the sun or a light bulb. When light bounces off of objects and enters our eyes, our brain interprets the information that helps us see. However, dark matter doesn't shine or reflect light, and is not visible through usual methods. Instead, scientists are watching for the effect dark matter has when interacting with other objects; similar to the way we “see” the wind.
Recommended for grade 1.