Students and staff travelled to Switzerland to explore the science, history, and culture the country has to offer.
A major highlight in the trip was our visit to CERN – the temple of modern high-energy physics. The students learned about ongoing research into the quark-gluon plasma and antimatter, and how these projects help scientists understand the fundamental laws of the universe, especially in the very early stages of its life. We were fortunate to secure one of the guided tours led by a researcher, which allowed the students to ask some insightful questions.
Later in the trip, we travelled to Bern. At the Einstein House Museum, students visited the apartment where Albert Einstein lived during his ‘miracle year’ of 1905, when he produced a series of extraordinary papers that reshaped modern physics. We also visited the Zytglogge (Clock Tower) and enjoyed a tour of its intricate internal mechanisms. Our guide’s enthusiasm and expertise gave the students a vivid appreciation of technology that is now getting close to its 500-year anniversary!
The standout experience of the trip was our visit the Jungfraujoch high-altitude research station, at approximately 3500 metres. The custodians provided a tour of the laboratories and the facilities used by researchers – including a glimpse into the researchers’ rooms and kitchenette, which made their efforts feel even more relatable. We then visited the Sphinx Observatory terrace. One custodian mentioned that, even after many years working there, he still takes photographs daily. The sentiment was entirely understandable: the views were spectacular, and the group was genuinely in awe for such natural beauty.