Students at Newbridge School can look forward to even more absorbing science classes in future, as one of their teachers takes a trip to the largest particle physics laboratory in the world.
Newbridge’s Head of Science, Lisa Morgan, has travelled to Switzerland as one of 24 selected teachers from across Wales to visit the CERN science centre, home of the Large Hadron Collider.
The trip, which is supported by the Welsh Government’s Focus on Science campaign, will give teachers the opportunity to attend lectures and learn about CERN’s facilities, functions and operation from the scientists and engineers who work there, including Dr Lyn Evans from Aberdare, the former director of the Large Hadron Collider project.
Speaking ahead of her visit, Lisa said: “I really hope that my trip to CERN inspires more of my female students to pursue science, not necessarily physics, but science as a whole.
“There are so many career opportunities for those who study science and I think more needs to be done to encourage girls down this path.
“I hope that I can be a role model for my students and give them the necessary support so that they can explore non-traditional career routes.”
While in Switzerland, the group will tour the anti-hydrogen facility and hear talks from experts on detector design, and the application of particle physics technology to medical diagnosis tools.
They attended a preparatory event earlier in the month at Swansea University to give themselves necessary background knowledge to ensure they can get the most out of their time in CERN.
The selected teachers hope to create a ‘knowledge network’, and share and develop resources with other science teachers in Wales to use during this academic year and beyond.
Minister for Education and Skills, Huw Lewis said: “For Wales to play its part and benefit from the advancement of science, we need to fire our young people’s imagination about experimentation and discovery.
“That’s why we are supporting our teachers to visit CERN as part of our ‘Focus on Science’ campaign.
I’m grateful to the National Science Learning Centre for their work in supporting our Welsh teachers and am delighted we have a Welshman – Dr Lyn Evans – as a passionate role model at CERN, encouraging teachers to get involved and learn about the work there.”