Session 1C: Particle physics: Is it worth the money?

Perhaps no field in physics has grown as rapidly as particle physics—going from nonexistence to major budget item in only a few decades. Boosted by the Manhattan Project, particle physics has enjoyed billions of dollars in federal research support for more than half a century. In an era of skepticism toward government spending and ever-tightening discretionary budgets, it seems reasonable to ask what the return has been on investment in particle physics spending. This talk will give an overview of particle physics experiments, discuss the current state, and explain its relevance today—and how even high school students should be involved in advancing our understandin