MASTERCLASS
AT CERN Register for the Programme

A Journey in Particle Physics

Masterclass at CERN

18-24 October 2026, Geneva, Switzerland

Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (CERN)

For school students, grades 9 and above (all examination boards)

Take a journey to the world’s largest laboratory with Masterclass at CERN. In collaboration with Life Lab Foundation, this programme gives high school students the chance to learn from leading scientists, take part in hands-on activities at the facility, and experience a full week in Geneva.

While academic rigour and intellectual exploration remain our primary focus, we place great emphasis on creating deeply authentic experiences. A student attending our programme at CERN is not merely learning particle physics; they are walking the same corridors and eating in the same cafeterias as Nobel Prize-winning scientists.

Target Audience: High school students in Grade 9 and above (all curriculum and examination board options)

This comprehensive programme is built around three well-defined stages: pre-learning sessions before the trip, on-site learning at CERN, and a research capstone submitted after returning.

  • Three well-defined learning stages
  • STEAM masterclasses led by leading scientists at CERN
  • Direct interaction with CERN scientists and potential mentorship opportunities
  • Hands-on activities inside and around the CERN facility
  • Networking with fellow participants, fostering collaboration and lasting friendships
  • Cultural immersion via guided visits to important sites in and around Geneva
  • Day excursion to explore the natural beauty of the surrounding region
Register for the Programme

Course Overview

Masterclass at CERN is a well-rounded programme that takes students from foundational preparation through to original research.

Pre-learning: To help participants make the most of their time at CERN, we recommend they work through a pre-learning module before the trip. Topics include:

  • Atomic physics
  • Electric and magnetic fields and their properties
  • Cyclotron
  • Types of particle accelerators
  • Higgs Field and Higgs Boson
  • Superconductors

On-site Learning: The time at CERN is a mix of lectures, workshops, and guided exploration of the facility. Students attend sessions led by CERN scientists and researchers across a range of topics in particle physics, with time built in each day for questions and discussion.

An example of a typical day: students may attend a lecture on the Large Hadron Collider and its functions, followed by a session on science communication and CERN’s education and outreach work, as well as a talk by a senior physicist on the Higgs Boson. Evenings are free for exploration of Geneva, where they visit important sites such as the Red Cross Museum.

Logistics and Costs

Programme fee: INR 2,75,000 (inclusive of GST) per student. The per student cost assumes that a school can send 1 teacher free to accompany every group of 11 students. If a school wishes to send additional teachers, this may come at an extra cost.

What’s included: Pre-learning sessions, accommodation in Geneva, transport to and from Geneva airport, all meals, local travel passes, and all activities and tours inside and outside CERN.

What’s not included: Air tickets, visa, medical insurance, and airport transfers in India.

Certification: Participants will receive a certificate from Hearth Academy and Life Lab Foundation on successful completion of the culminating research project.

Schedule

The trip runs from Sunday (arrival) to Saturday (departure). Monday to Thursday is spent at CERN and other research facilities. The last day of the programme is an excursion to explore the natural beauty of the Alps. Participants will also get a chance to soak in the culture of Switzerland’s most cosmopolitan city through guided visits to important sites. A more detailed itinerary will be shared closer to the date of travel.

Registration: Please register your interest by filling out this form: https://zfrmz.com/mX4YYubelM67XV3sPUFA

Research Capstone

Participants submit a research project after the programme. Prompts are provided and students choose the topic that interests them most. Certificates are issued on successful completion.

Examples of prompts from previous editions:

  • Pick one cosmological mystery (like dark energy, inflation of the universe, dark matter) and give a hypothetical explanation for it.
  • Pick one particle physics topic that you studied during Masterclass at CERN. Develop an innovative and interesting lesson plan to teach this topic to a group of Class 10 students.
  • Assume you have found a previously undiscovered composite particle called JUNO. Describe how you might have used data from detectors used to observe proton collisions for your discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can attend the programme?

The programme is open to students in Grade 9 and above.

When does the programme take place?

The 2026 edition runs from 18 to 24 October in Geneva, Switzerland.

What does the programme cost?

The programme fee is INR 2,75,000 per student, inclusive of GST. This assumes one teacher travels free for every group of 11 students. Additional teachers may be accommodated at extra cost.

What is included in the fee?

The fee covers pre-learning sessions, accommodation in Geneva, airport transfers within Geneva, all meals, local travel passes, and all activities and tours inside and outside CERN. It does not include air tickets, visa, medical insurance, or airport transfers in India.

Will participants receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who successfully complete the culminating research project will receive a certificate from Hearth Academy and Life Lab Foundation.

What is the research capstone?

After returning from Geneva, participants submit a research project based on their learning during the programme. Prompts are provided, and students pick the topic that interests them most. The certificate is issued on successful completion of this project.

Is there any preparation required before the trip?

Yes. Once a place is confirmed, participants will have access to a pre-learning module covering foundational topics.

Is the pre-learning compulsory?

While the pre-learning is not compulsory, we recommend it for a deeper learning experience.

Testimonials

Rajvardhan Inan Todi

Student, IB2, Calcutta International School

 

I took part in Masterclass at CERN in Geneva and it was a great experience. I would highly recommend it to other high school students looking to study physics. My favourite part of the programme was the session with Dr Piotr Traczyk on the Higgs Boson.

Tvishaa Prabhu

Student, Grade 9, Aditya Birla World Academy

 

Masterclass at CERN allowed us to explore a whole new side to science. While our time at CERN was the highlight, the learning process started well before, and continued after we returned home. This helped me understand concepts and recollect them better. The programme has definitely furthered my love for Physics.

Register for the Programme