How are scientific discoveries made? Although some important scientific discoveries are made by chance, most are the result of years of careful directed work called research. With the exception of a few people who study science as a hobby, most scientists get paid to do research in their scientific field. Some scientist are professors at universities. teaching students is only part of their job. Most of their work consist of doing research - that  is, exploring ideas, creating hypothesis, performing experiments, and publishing findings.
Many other scientist also work for the government-funded laboratories or for private companies.
Physicists  call the current theory, or explanation, of the fundamental building blocks of matter the "Standard Model." According ti this theory , the basic components from which all matter is made are the particles called quarks and leptons. The giant particles accelerators at Fermilab near Chicago and the LEP in Switzerland are used to make particles collide at very high energies. physicists study the results of these collisions to test predictions of the Standard Model.

Further research is needed to understand the nature of the quarks and leptons themselves. this new research, however, will require the construction of a larger, more powerful particle accelerator known as the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC). It is estimated that the SSC will cost more than 7 billion dollars to build.

It is difficult to measure the value of SSc research. Although it is expected to contribute significantly to our understanding of the natural world, SSc research offers no immediate practical application benefiting human society. many people believe government money would be better spent improving the quality of human life indirect ways such as finding a cure for AIDS or reducing pollution. Some scientists are concerned that financing the SSc may take money away important scientist research in other disciplines such as biology, medicine, chemistry and other branches of physics.