22 Nov Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
On 9th November, a group of Year 10 students traveled to Oxfordshire, where one of many Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) labs is located. The students participated in several demonstrations based around the multitudes of work the laboratory is dedicated to, ranging from the study of polymers to the study of muons.
On the day, students toured around different regions of the lab, and were given the opportunity to participate in many experiments as well as interact with many talented scientists in order to have our questions answered, be it about chemical reactions or even the repercussions of firing a proton accelerator at a Mercury-filled sponge!
The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is a pioneering and world-leading centre of Scientific research and it is safe to say that all the students learnt many things and were thoroughly entertained. All the students especially enjoyed the ice cream made almost instantly using liquid nitrogen. Several amongst the group commented that the visit to the centre had peaked a new interest in a science-based careers thanks to the engaging and complex work performed in the laboratory.
A big thank you to Mr Bayley and all those involved in organising the trip, as it was incredibly educational and has definitely benefited the students involved.
Sophia Pearce (Year 10)