During Enrichment Week, 29 Lower Sixth Form students and one Upper Sixth Form student embarked on an exciting Physics trip to Geneva, Switzerland.
The visit began at the Musée d’Histoire des Sciences, home to an impressive collection of scientific instruments from the 17th to 19th centuries. A hands-on highlight was the challenge of separating the vacuum-sealed Magdeburg hemispheres, held together by atmospheric pressure, a task that proved far more difficult than expected!
The group then toured the Palais des Nations, the United Nations Office in Geneva, where they had the rare opportunity to observe a live meeting in session, offering a fascinating glimpse into international diplomacy.
An evening boat cruise on Lake Geneva provided a scenic and relaxing break, with stunning views and a chance for everyone to unwind and enjoy the surroundings.
Of course, no trip to Geneva would be complete without a visit to CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research. At the new CERN Science Gateway, students watched interactive presentations on particle accelerators, explored hands-on exhibits, and saw a demonstration of a compact proton accelerator analysing archaeological samples. The highlight of the trip was the guided tour of the CERN Data Centre and the Antimatter Factory, where students learned about the powerful computing infrastructure, the workings of antiproton decelerators, and ground-breaking research on antihydrogen.
