Bursaries allow Galway teachers travel to CERN

The Galway Science & Technology Forum for the second year running will sponsor bursaries for two Galway science teachers to travel to CERN, Geneva, Switzerland to attend CERN’s HST (High School Training) 2014 Programme which runs for three weeks this July.

CERN is the European Organization for Nuclear Research whose purpose is to operate the world’s largest particle physics laboratory. Established in 1954, and with 21 European member states, CERN’s main function is to provide the particle accelerators and other infrastructure needed for high-energy physics research.

As a result, numerous experiments have been constructed at CERN following international collaborations. It is also the birthplace of the World Wide Web and in July 2012, CERN scientists announced the discovery of a new sub-atomic particle that could be the much sought after Higgs Boson believed to be essential for formation of the Universe

Science teachers Neasa Mhic Dhonncha of Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiarain, An Cheathru Rua and Eleanor Nolan of Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Claregalway will attend the three week course which aims to promote the teaching of physics and, in particular of particle physics, to secondary school teachers and to stimulate activities related to the popularisation of physics within and beyond the classroom and to help CERN establish closer links with European schools.

One of the primary purposes of the Galway Science & Technology Forum is to encourage students to develop an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects at a young age and to choose these subjects throughout their school years and in time work in these fields and help sustain the many indigenous and multinational companies that operate here in Ireland.

Tom Hyland, Chairman, Galway Science & Technology Form said, “We are delighted to be able to afford these teachers this fantastic opportunity to attend CERN, Switzerland and learn about particle physics from the experts in this field.

“The teachers in turn will be able to bring this knowledge back to their students and hopefully instil in them an interest in pursuing a career in this field”.

“We are most grateful to our main sponsor Medtronic and all our other partners including Boston Scientific, Cisco, Hewlett Packard, Avaya, Fidelity, Discover Science & Engineering (SFI), NUI Galway, Galway Enterprise Board, GMIT, IDA Ireland etc who make opportunities like this happen,” he added.