Cutting edge of particle physics

MASTERCLASS... Amanda Burkinshaw, Selena Cullen and Charlotte Postlethwaite, right, at CERN

Teachers on a mission to discover wonders of the universe
THREE science teachers have been on an extraordinary venture to find a new love of physics.

Amanda Burkinshaw, Selena Cullen and Charlotte Postlethwaite from Royton & Crompton School, were chosen for a trip to the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, where Oldham’s TV Professor Brian Cox works.

More than 60 teachers from across the UK were selected to attend the three-day particle physics course, which gave them a hands on experience and taught them how better to convey enthusiasm in physics to the pupils they teach.

CERN was founded in 1954 and is the world’s largest centre for scientific research.

Its main aims are to find out the workings of the universe — and the centre is most famously known for its research into moments after the Big Bang when the universe came into existence.

Leading scientists at the centre, explained the experiments taking place and the teachers saw a special chamber where muons — heavy particles from outer space — are recorded.

Amanda said she had found a new love, respect and interest in particle physics.

She said: “What they are doing at CERN blows your mind: from the Large Hadron Collider, to the myriad of Nobel Prize winners and the most brilliantly intelligent minds of our time giving an insight into their world of particle physics.

“It was a fantastic experience and one that I will share with everyone I meet.

“Although CERN is a working environment part of its mission statement is to inspire the scientists of the future, which is why we were invited.

“The centre is full of interactive displays to gain a better understanding of the organisation’s history.”