A Physics Geneva Adventure
18 intrepid students embarked on a Physics residential trip to CERN, Switzerland over Half term. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and certainly made the most of the three day trip. Lower Sixth pupils, Katy Pitt and Sam Taylor share the following report below:
“After a smooth flight to Geneva and a bus ride involving an impressive 3 point turn on a highway, we checked into the cosy Ibis Petit-Lancy hotel, our ‘home away from home’ for the duration of the trip. Making use of the tram to get there, we had an excellent meal of rotisserie chicken for dinner at the traditional Swiss restaurant “Chez Ma Cousine”.
Our second day commenced with a tour of Geneva’s iconic landmarks. We were shocked at the scale of the Jet d’Eau fountain, took a water taxi ride across the serene Lake Geneva, and saw the United Nations headquarters. The visit to the Red Cross museum was surprisingly moving at times, being immersed in the poignant stories of humanitarian efforts, walking amongst the thousands of record cards used in World War Two, and understanding the amazing work that the Red Cross has done and continues to do.
We then headed to the main attraction, CERN itself, where we had a guided tour led by Mark Tyrrel, a researcher who played a key role in setting up the original accelerators in the Large Hadron Collider’s (LHC) precursor. He explained the physical processes used such as the role of superconductors and magnets within the LHC. A 3D film in the control building of ATLAS (a 25m diameter particle detector) showed us how the LHC is used and how exotic particles are detected. In 2012, this was where the Higgs Boson was discovered which is responsible for all the mass in the universe.
We then had the opportunity to explore the hands-on activities in the Discover CERN and Our Universe exhibitions. Crossing the border into France at times, the sheer size and the almost unbelievable statistics about the facility are what stood out most.
In the evening, we enjoyed an excursion to “Bowling de la Praille”. Amidst strikes and spares, Katy especially showcased her bowling prowess, whilst the rest of us were arguably not as successful in doing such. The nearby mall provided an unexpected thrill with a slide connecting different levels: an entertaining diversion that finished the day off nicely.
Our final day began with an early start as we delved into a hands-on workshop at CERN, where we had the opportunity to construct cloud chambers from dry ice, and a fish tank and felt soaked in isopropanol: an incredible experiment that allowed us to observe the usually invisible paths of subatomic particles. Engaging with the principles of particle detection first-hand brought to life the Particle Physics we have studied at school and deepened our understanding of the concepts discussed during our tour. It reinforced our appreciation for the ingenuity and collaborative spirit at CERN.
Following the workshop, we moved on to the ‘Musee d’histoire des sciences’, travelling there aboard a double-decker train, much to the thrill of many. Exploring the museum’s vast collection of scientific artefacts and exhibits was made only better by the stunning building it was in and the views over Lake Geneva and the snow-capped mountains beyond.
As the day drew to a close, we said farewell to Geneva, boarding our flight homeward bound. In conclusion, our Physics residential trip to Geneva was an unforgettable experience that will continue to motivate us through our studies for a long time to come! Our thanks to Dr Rowlinson and Mrs Daniell for organising a very memorable, enjoyable and inspirational trip for our Physics Geneva Adventure.’