NPI success in Open Science: great second place for Martin Schäfer's team from DTP

The Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences (NPI) effectively utilizes the Open Science program to identify and support young talents in nuclear and particle physics. On November 7–8, the final conference showcased high school students, among others, who worked on scientific projects throughout the year under the guidance of researchers from the Department of Theoretical Physics (DTP) at NPI.

The team led by Dr. Martin Schäfer achieved an excellent second place in the "Non-living Nature" category with their project Quantum Mechanics in the Study of Nuclei and Exotic Mesons. Team members Lukáš Hrdý, Sofie Klepková and Jakub Radim Zbončák focused on the quantum-mechanical description of the deuteron and other two-particle systems during their internship. Inspired by the experience, they plan to pursue further studies in quantum mechanics at university. Sofie Klepková and Jakub Radim Zbončák have already outlined individual research projects, which will again be supervised by Dr. Schäfer and could later become topics for their bachelor’s or master’s theses.

Another research topic, „The World of Strange Nuclei“, led by Dalibor Skoupil from DTP, also demonstrated its purpose, even though his interns were not formally evaluated. One of the students, under his mentorship, is preparing a project for the Secondary School Professional Activity (SOČ) competition, which could later form the basis of a bachelor’s or master’s thesis.

This year's edition of the Open Science project by the Czech Academy of Sciences has demonstrated that it can become an effective tool for the Nuclear Physics Institute (NPI) to identify and develop young talent. Thanks to the professional guidance of researchers (currently only) from the Department of Theoretical Physics (DTP), students gain not only access to cutting-edge scientific knowledge but also valuable experience that prepares them for further studies and research.

The topic „The World of Strange Nuclei“ is once again available for high school students next year, under the guidance of Dalibor Skoupil.

Photo: CAS - Intern Lukáš Hrdý presents a physics-theoretical topic during the final student scientific conference 

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