PowerPoint bemutat

1
Budapest University of Technology and Economics
(Hungary)
Simulation programs for Nuclear Education
Computer exercises of the Leo Szilárd Physics
Competitions for secondary school students
(1999-2002)
Dr. Csaba Sükösd Department of Nuclear
Techniques Budapest University of Technology and
Economics (Hungary)
2
Budapest University of Technology and Economics
(Hungary)
About the Leo Szilárd Physics Competitions

• started in 1998, in the year of the Szilárd
  Centenary (initiative of George Marx)

• every year, two-steps competition
• preselection in schools
• final in Paks for the best 20 (senior) and 10
  (junior) students

• preselection 10 theoretical problems are to be
  solved. The students work is evaluated by
  physics teachers, and the best papers (gt60,
  gt40) are sent to the Eötvös Society. They will
  be re-evaluated by univ. professors and the
  best 2010 are selected. (February)

• final 10 theoretical problems, 1 experimental
  exercise and 1 computer simulation
  exercise (since 1999). A whole-day
  competition. (April)

3
Budapest University of Technology and Economics
(Hungary)
Why computer simulations for secondary school
students?

• todays scientific methodology is threefold
• experimental
• theoretical
• computerised (even math!)
• (computer simulations are part of the
  scientific work)

• computer simulations enable the teacher to
  bring nearly anything into the
  classroom (NPP, cyclotron, etc. )

• they have strong demonstration power (they
  enable to show very fast or very slow processes
  too)

• they are interactive and creative
  (experimenting)

• students are usually motivated to use computers

• using computers is fun !

4
Budapest University of Technology and Economics
(Hungary)
About simulations in general Aims of the
simulations (not a complete list!)

• to demonstrate a process or physical phenomenon

• to aid designing a device or a complicated
  technical instrument

• to analyse the operation of a real, existing
  object
• etc.

Requirements

• For demonstration purposes simplicity is
  required, the main features must be well
  reflected.

• For design or analysis the most possible,
  detailed reproduction of the
• behaviour of the (designed or existing) real
  object is required

5
Budapest University of Technology and Economics
(Hungary)
About the simulations in the Szilárd competitions

• All are for demonstration and for education.

• They have a more or less detailed Help
  (description).

• They should test the nuclear knowledge and
  skills of the students (and NOT
  computer-skills).

• They should test also the creativity in
  experimenting (not a unique solution to
  the problems)

• They should enable the jury to evaluate the work
  of the students individually and relatively fast

• The versions on this CD are NOT the ones used in
  the competition,
• because
• they are in English,
• they are upgraded and rewritten in a form that
  can easily be translated to other languages

6
Budapest University of Technology and Economics
(Hungary)
Simulations in the Szilárd competitions

• 1999 Operation of a Nuclear Power Plant
  unit Evaluation (plotting) .

• 2000 Construction of a critical assembly
  (reactor core).

• 2001 Operation of a cyclotron

• 2002 Testing a nuclear fuel container
  (safeguards)

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Budapest University of Technology and Economics
(Hungary)
Conclusions

• The best students can cope with these types of
  problems. There are several good, creative
  solutions every year

• The students become aware that these type of
  games can be very useful also for the research
  and for the understanding

• The students enjoy the simulation games

• They want to have the programs because they want
  to play with even after the competition

• The simulation exercises in physics competitions
  motivate also the teachers to use simulations in
  school

8
Budapest University of Technology and Economics
(Hungary)
Thank you for your attention !
Further information available Dr. Csaba Sükösd
Mail. addr Dept. of Nuclear Techniques H-1521
Budapest Fax [phone] Tel
361-463-2523 Email sukosd_at_reak.bme.hu