Social, Political, and economic impacts of the worlds largest

particle accelerator

The LHC is arguably one of the most ambitious scientific experiments to ever be conducted. In essence, scientists are trying to recreate the same conditions that existed almost instantaneously after the big bang. Scientists’ hope to use the results of the LHC experiments to answer some of long standing questions that exist in theoretical physics today. This understanding, they argue, will provide us with a better description of the underlying nature of matter.

Political Lobbying (Debate)

 

This case study requires that you prepare for a classroom debate AND deliberate from a social, scientific, and ethical standpoint.

 Description and Scenario

Given the enormous cost of the LHC, and the potential danger of it, there is considerable debate behind its creation, and use. There is debate as to whether there should be continual funding to support this endeavor. In this debate, students will play the roles of various stakeholders who lobby the government to address public safety concerns, as well as the economic benefits and costs of this project. These stakeholders are also required to gather information from a variety of credible sources to determine whether or not the LHC is an endeavor that should supported by the government.  Roles and Tasks for Government Lobbying The role of lobbyist is to persuade government officials to support/withdraw from research at the LHC. Students will be divided into the four stakeholders (see tables below). The intended audience (the government officials) will determine will decide whether or not to support research at the LHC facility.

Roles Task DescriptionS = Scientist: CERN physicists and councils have proposed the project and have invested much scientific research in initiating the LHC. The LHC is believe to be important in the area of particle research.

The physicist will emphasis the importance of the research, and how it can be a major breakthrough in our understanding of science. The physicists are proposing to continue the project, despite the expenditure and sensitive issues pertaining to the project.

U = Union members: white/blue collar workers have contributed to building the LHC. Continue maintenance and upgrades are vital roles of these workers

You must validate why the project must continue from an economic standpoint and your personal well-being. In the context of the current global recession, employment is a concern for working members of the LHC.

P = Professional skeptics: scientist, and other professionals want to be ensured that the project will not pose any danger.

The skeptics will present their concerns of the project and will want to determine the costs of the project and safety of the community.

Roles Task DescriptionJ = Journalist: reporters who want to provide an unbiased summary of the discussion.

Journalist are to make a video recording news report highlighting key points of the discussion

Web pages:

http://public.web.cern.ch/public/en/LHC/WhyLHC-en.htmlhttp://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/arts/story.html?id=f8b84761-ef5a-45c0-ab3e-9b5ce6497088http://www.atlas-canada.ca/whatislhc.htmlhttp://www.atlas-canada.ca/canconlhc.html

Pictorial: http://atlas.ch/photos/detector-site- surface.html Videos: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=qQNpucos9wc