CERN 2019

A Level Physics Residential Trip to CERN – January 2019

As part of our students continuing their A-Level Physics studies it has always been a priority to facilitate as much interaction as possible with a wide range of practical applications. As a result I am delighted to be able to offer our students a superb opportunity to visit CERN in Geneva. CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is one of the world’s largest and most respected centres for scientific discovery and exploration. The main focus is fundamental Physics, finding out what the Universe is made of and how it works. However, their research covers many other branches of science and technology.

I hope that the visit will give the students an unparalleled insight into the application of science in the real world and the relevance to all our lives. CERN currently houses the Large Hadron Collider, a long-term experiment designed to simulate the conditions and events that led to the beginning of the expansion of the universe. Scientists have used this data to prove the existence of the Higgs boson, a particle that has led to understanding of the fundamental forces underpinning modern Physics. Some of the pioneering work to develop the World Wide Web was also carried out here in the 1980s by Sir Tim Berners-Lee. Amongst the scientists currently working on projects in and around CERN are illustrious figures within the field such as Professor Brian Cox.

 

The main focus of the trip will be a guided tour around the facilities in CERN. As such, we will be based on the main site at CERN for the majority of the trip, taking advantage of the availability of overnight accommodation in the on-site hostel. This will ensure we also have the optimal amount of time to visit the permanent exhibitions at CERN, based around the Globe of Science and Innovation. As we travel back through Geneva on the way back to the airport, there will also be an opportunity to visit the Museum of the History of Science and enjoy some of the sights and sounds of this beautiful city. The trip will take place over three days: Sunday 13th to Tuesday 15th January.

A brief itinerary is outlined below:
Sunday 13th January

09:00                     Students leave school and travel by coach to Bristol airport. Bring packed lunch or money

to purchase lunch at the airport.

13:05                     Easyjet flight to Geneva

15:45                     Land in Geneva and travel by public transport to the hostel accommodation at CERN

17.00                     Evening meal at one of the main restaurants at CERN

Monday 14th January

08:30                     Breakfast at the CERN cafeteria.

10:00                     Visit ‘Universe of Particles’ and ‘Microcosm’ exhibitions and CERN shop.

12.30                     Lunch at CERN restaurant.

14:00                     Guided tour around CERN and the research areas.

17:00                     Evening Dinner CERN restaurant.

Tuesday 15th January

08:00                     Breakfast at the CERN cafeteria.

10:00                     Tram to Geneva

11.00                     Visit to the History of Science Museum.

13.00                     Lunch in Geneva.

14:30                     Tram back to the airport.

16:55                     Flight from Geneva to Bristol

17:40                     Flight lands in Bristol.

18.30                     Coach back to JMHS.

20:00                     Arrival at JMHS (approx.)

The flights are inclusive of hand baggage (each passenger can carry on the plane one piece of hand luggage, measuring a maximum 56 x 45 x 25cm, including wheels, pockets and handles). Students (and staff!) will not be able to take any hold luggage. If the luggage limit is exceeded, a cost of £47.00 will need to be paid at the airport, and we have been reassured this charge is not negotiable.