Learning Particle Physics Using Timepix-Based Pixel Detectors at CERN S’Cool LAB

S’Cool LAB1 is an international out-of-school hands-on learning laboratory at CERN. At S’Cool LAB, high-school students work with high-tech equipment to independently perform modern physics experiments that are linked to the technology and physics of CERN. Among the S’Cool LAB equipment is the MX-10 particle camera, which uses the Timepix chip as part of its hybrid pixel detector. This chip was developed by the Medipix2 Collaboration2 , hosted at CERN, and the detector as a whole has now been re-purposed for students by JABLOTRON ALARMS a.s.3 . One goal of S’Cool LAB is to integrate this pixel detector into hands-on workshops and to evaluate its educational potential while taking into account students’ conceptions about radiation. Here, we introduce S’Cool LAB and the pixel detector, give an overview of possible experiments, and explain in more detail the current use of the detector in S’Cool LAB.