2020 KEK Winter Science Camp

(English Translation 2024-07-08)

KEK Winter Science Camp, a practical training program for high school students, was held on December 25, 2020. This year, a total of seven high school students participated in a total of four courses, consisting of three training sessions and one lecture, which were held online rather than the traditional training camp format, in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. The principal was Dr. Yoshida of the Radiation Science Center.
The Applied Research Laboratory organized an online simulation experiment on radiation shielding using radiation simulation software developed by the Radiation Science Center, under the theme of "Let's learn about radiation", and two participants worked on it.  This experiment is a simulation of the radiation shielding experiment using a gamma ray source, which is held every year at Winter Science Camp. The lecturers were Dr. Kume of the Mechanical Engineering Center and Dr. Iwase of the Radiation Science Center, with assistance from Dr. Kishimoto of the Radiation Science Center.
The practical training is a combination of simulation and online experimentation. Participants actually use simulation software to observe the gamma-ray trajectory irradiated on the shielding, derive the shielding performance based on the observation, and compare it with literature values. On the other hand, the lecturer demonstrates an actual radiation shielding experiment, and the participants are able to compare the obtained experimental results with the simulation results and work on improving the experimental method and equipment while watching the process from equipment setup to data acquisition online.
Although the one-day online training was limited in time and environment, it turned out to be an intensive training. The students were able to experience radiation, which is usually invisible, in a tangible form through practical training using simulation software, and I felt that they were able to deepen their understanding of radiation and its shielding more than in previous years.