CERN and Geneva 2018

Thirty-three lower and upper sixth A-level Physics students spent the end of their Autumn half-term learning about how the fundamentals of the Universe began as some of the best scientists in the world explained their research and findings to us and the purpose of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). 

The CERN research laboratories are based in Geneva, Switzerland on the border with France, making a beautiful setting for our biannual visit to explore the particle accelerator, museums and iconic buildings and where the LHC can be found 100m underground, where the detectors are shielded from the world above. The tour of ATLAS, the LHC and LAIR were conducted by the scientists that work on those projects, providing a fantastic insight into their roles, responsibilities and research, as well as answering questions from our thoughtful Sixth Formers.

Either side of our all-day visit to CERN, we also enjoyed a guided tour of the Palace of Nations, home to the United Nations in Europe, including the infamous chambers where war is declared by member states. In addition we visited The Museum of Natural History and their life-size examples of animals and creatures forming a history of evolution, the lake boat ride around some of the magnificent houses and apartments and the winter-wonderland of Mount Saleve after a four minute cable-car ride to the summit which completed the whirlwind of packed events during our three-day tour.

Lastly, we had the chance to experience the traditional setting of Hotel Edelweiss and their famous cheese fondue on our first evening meal followed by delicious pizza on the Saturday. We may have brought home a little chocolate too (*ahem*).

Tina Jenkins, Julian Lucraft and Matthew Kelly