Week 1: January 18, 2022

This week's Guest Speaker: Dr. Jim Madsen

Dr. Madsen at the South Pole.

See Dr. Madsen's talk abstract, slides, and recording below.

Dr. Jim Madsen

Jim Madsen is the executive director of the Wisconsin IceCube Particle Astrophysics Center and an associate director of the IceCube project, where he leads the education and outreach team. He became involved with particle astrophysics in 1998 while on sabbatical working with Francis Halzen at UW–Madison on the predecessor to IceCube, AMANDA (Antarctic Muon and Neutrino Detector Array). Since then, he has deployed five times to Antarctica, and continues to provide opportunities to engage a wide range of audiences with astrophysics research from Antarctica.

Jim has a PhD in low-temperature physics from the Colorado School of Mines and a BS in Philosophy and Applied Math, Engineering and Physics from UW–Madison.

Contact Dr. Madsen: jmadsen@wisc.edu

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory: Exploring the Universe from the South Pole

Abstract: "The South Pole IceCube Neutrino Observatory, fully functional for over a decade, is the largest single science instrument ever constructed. It allow us to study the high-energy phenomena, from neutrino properties to the locations and acceleration mechanisms of the most powerful cosmic engines in the universe. I will briefly describe how it was built, how it works, and some recent exciting results."

Talk slides:

Recording

WIPAC_HS_Intrnshp_Madsen_IC_Intro_2022.pptx

(Image credit: IceCube)

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is a giant array of light detectors buried under the ice at the Geographic South Pole. Dr. Jim Madsen will tell us all about the detector, the neutrino, and how this special experiment is helping scientists learn more about the mysterious ghost particle.

The Coded Communication Tool Design Challenge

Lots of engineering design and data analysis resources contribute to IceCube. We can start to understand coding ourselves by learning about the foundations of computational thinking. This week and next, we'll learn about variables & data types. You will synthesize what you're learning about variables and data types with what you're hearing from our guest speakers.

Data representation and science communication are crucial skills for any scientist, novice, or expert. This week, you will begin to think about designing a coded communication tool to share something you've learned from our experts with an audience of your peers. We will work through the design process to support learners with more and less design experience. The method we will use is explained here. Please note that this process maps onto just about any design process schematic. You are trusted to navigate between this process and one you prefer, as needed.

A note about coding skills and competencies: We expect that our participants will have a wide range of coding competencies and skills as they enter this internship. To support all learners in advancing their personal progress on a continuum of coding expertise, we will suggest alternatives for various individuals. More on that in Week 2 with "coded communication options, resources."

Week 1 Documents & Resources:

Session slides from Dr. Shirey

Design Challenge Phase 1: Problem Definition tool (Google Doc copy, Microsoft Word download, PDF download.)

Dr. Shirey's South Pole Slides and Kate Miller's station tour video

Assignment #1: Data types learning module & knowledge check

Complete the data types learning module in Chrome or Firefox.
Add to your Problem Definition sheet as you consider your design options.
Complete the week 1 knowledge check by Sunday, January 23 (to give Dr. Shirey time to process your answers and steer next steps.)

IceCube deployment involved using a hot water drill at the South Pole to bore holes in the ice to a depth of 2.45 km (over 1.5 miles) down into the ice. (Image credit: Amble, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Page updated

Report abuse