At the cutting edge of physics: a transformative visit to CERN

In February, a group of 24 Physics students headed to Geneva, the home of CERN: the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Established in in 1954, the laboratory is a remarkable centre of international collaboration and offers a truly immersive experience into the world of particle physics.

The group set off early on a Tuesday morning from Gatwick with two members of staff: seasoned CERN trip-goers who somehow discover something new on every visit. On arrival, they dropped their luggage at the Youth Hostel and headed straight to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum to explore its powerful exhibitions and a temporary art installation, which was singled out for praise as being “unexpectedly cool”. That evening, everyone enjoyed an amazing cheese fondue starter at the Restaurant Edelweiss, followed by an early(ish) night in preparation for their first full day at CERN.

Students took part in two guided tours: the Magnet Testing Facility and ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment), dedicated to heavy-ion physics at the Large Hadron Collider. They were fortunate to meet a former Godalming College student, now completing his PhD at CERN, who delivered an engaging presentation followed by a Q&A session. After lunch, the group explored the CERN exhibition centre before before visiting the Musee d’Histoire des Sciences. In the evening, they headed into the town centre for a meal at Chez Ma Cousine (described as “posh Nandos”), followed by a supervised beer tasting at a local brasserie.

Another early start marked their final day with a trip back to CERN for a hands-on lab workshop on superconductivity. Students experimented with superconductors to generate magnetic fields, an experience they found both fascinating and highly relevant to their A Level studies, as it reinforced concepts covered in the course.

The trip concluded with a visit to The United Nations Office at Geneva, a highlight for many, with one commenting that they “loved the UN way more than expected.” From world-leading physics research to a hands-on scientific workshop and cultural experiences, the students gained valuable academic insight while broadening their global perspective. A thought-provoking trip that will stay with them for years to come.