From September 10 to 24, 2025, CERN, DESY, and the University of Bonn opened their doors to the winners of the Beamline for Schools competition. This exciting event lets high school students step into the world of science.
The Beamline for Schools program began in 2014 as part of CERN’s 60th anniversary. It encourages young minds to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Students propose experiments to be conducted on a beamline, blending creativity with scientific research. This year, students from Belgium, Türkiye, Canada, Mexico, and the United States participated, diving into hands-on experiments using accelerator beams.
Notably, the “Physical” team from Türkiye and “the Spallateam” from Belgium worked at CERN. Meanwhile, DESY hosted the “Dawson Technicolor” team from Canada and “Pumas in Kollision” from Mexico. The “team XTReme” from the USA took their experiments to the University of Bonn and used its electron accelerator, ELSA.
The partnership between CERN and DESY started in 2019. This year marked a milestone with the University of Bonn joining in. Interest in the program is growing—over 3,500 students participated this year, with a record 508 teams from 72 countries submitting proposals.
This competition not only sparks curiosity but also builds a community of future scientists. As experts in education emphasize, programs like Beamline for Schools inspire students and help maintain their interest in STEM fields well into their careers.
For additional perspectives, a recent survey found that hands-on experiences significantly enhance students’ understanding of complex scientific concepts, making initiatives like this vital for education.
In a world where STEM careers are increasingly in demand, programs that engage young people are crucial. They nurture the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.
For more on the Beamline for Schools program, visit Beamline for Schools. Further insights can be found through the CERN & Society Foundation.
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physics, CERN, Large Hadron Collider, LHC, high-energy physics, particles, science
