For some years, physics professor Sijbrand de Jong had been considering organizing an event that would inform the general public about the presence and nature of cosmic rays. In the winter of 2008/2009 he gathered a varied group of people, ranging from Ph. D.s in physics, to students in biology and social sciences. The goal: to compete in the prestigious Academic Year Award, a competition that grants a prize of €100,000 to the plan that best communicates a newly found scientific discovery to a broad audience.

Team captain and initiator De Jong proposed organizing a dance event that will be guided and controlled by cosmic rays. During the first meetings, the basic structure of the event was decided upon. In February 2009, an initial communication plan had to be constructed, providing a brief explanation of the event, its objectives and the science behind it. Team De Jong, as it came to be called, passed the first selection round! We are now an official nominee for the Academic Year Award 2009!

Team de Jong will compete with seven other teams for approval of the jury of the Academic Year Award. We will have to stress the relevance and importance of the Cosmic Experience project. During the summer, Team de Jong is given the opportunity to briefly explain the event and the science behind it on national televison, in the VPRO show ‘Noorderlicht‘. Moreover, an extensive communication plan has to be made, as well as a presentation for the final round in Museum Boerhaave in Leiden, on October the 8th when the prize is awarded. With great enthusiasm, Team de Jong is engaged in these efforts to make sure Cosmic Experience will win the Academic Year Award, which will bring the realization of the event another step closer.