Abstract
In Japan, research activities by junior and senior high school students show
an upward trend. However, there are limited examples of research activities in
the field of elementary particles and atoms. This is due to the difficulty
associated with procuring research tools such as accelerators or particle
detectors. Therefore, we hosted the "Accel Kitchen" in 2018 and 2019 at
Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center (CYRIC) in Tohoku University where junior and
senior high school students could participate in ongoing research of particle
and atomic physics. At each workshop, 12 junior and senior high school students
participated in the beam experiment, including the production of francium atoms
(Fr) by the fusion reaction of oxygen and gold, optimizing the transport of the
ion beam and identifying the alpha decay nuclei, and laser trapping of Fr for
two days. Each group that was involved in the experiment was supported by
researchers and university students who acted as mentors. This was the first
opportunity for junior and senior high school students to know about the
particle beam experiment in Japan.