Abingdonian 2018

44 The Abingdonian in a photonics experiment, where they collided photons from a gamma ray and X-ray, hoping to observe the creation of electron-positron pairs. We travelled up to Imperial College for a day, giving a presentation on our own research, and listening to an introduction to the experiment. We then sat down in a group and tried to come up with a plan for the next steps of this experiment. We are currently in the analysis stages, and we can’t wait to see where this new project takes us. Oliver Breach, 6RP ATLAScraft The ASP was invited by Oxford University to take part in a project in collaboration with CERN to create a simulation of the ATLAS experiment in the popular game Minecraft. The ATLAS experiment is the famous detector that was used to discover the Higgs Boson particle. The project started at the beginning of the year with five Abingdonians and several other pupils from local schools including Fitzharrys and Didcot Girls taking part in an introductory session where they learnt the basics of particle physics, had a virtual tour of the ATLAS control room, and researched the complex detector parts they would have to recreate. After the first session, the project was continually worked on in pupils’ spare time, with meetings happening every few weeks. The detector used real map data from CERN to allow the surrounding buildings and facilities to be as accurate as possible, including famous buildings such as the Globe of Science and Innovation, the mural wall and car park. The pupils from the different schools all worked together online to create the final detector which was then officially released by CERN in November 2018. Almost 24,000,000 blocks in Minecraft were placed by the students and the end result of the project was certainly impressive, providing a lasting legacy for CERN and Oxford physicists to use in their outreach activities. Freddie Nicholson, 4RLR ASP at the TES Schools Awards 2018 The ASP’s increasing reputation as a centre of excellence in science partnership was recognised this year when it was shortlisted in the Communities and Collaboration category for a TES Schools Award. The nomination recognised all the valuable work the ASP has been doing in building partnerships with local primary and secondary schools, giving practising scientists the opportunity to work on exciting outreach projects with schools and supporting community initiatives, especially the Abingdon ATOM Festival of Science and Technology. As this was the tenth anniversary of these awards, ASP Co-ordinator Jeremy Thomas was invited to a bonus event at the House of Commons, meeting other shortlisted nominees and our local MP, Layla Moran. The Awards ceremony took place at the glamorous Grosvenor House Hotel in June. ASP staff and representatives of partner organisations, such as Science Oxford and local schools travelled up to the event and enjoyed an evening hosted by comedian Al Murray and attended by the Secretary of State for Education, Damien Hinds, Chief Inspector of Schools, Amanda Spielman and many other top people in education. Unfortunately, the ASP did not win in its category but being shortlisted in the last eight amongst such an amazing variety of worthy projects was an honour and a tribute to the enthusiasm and co-operation engendered by our partnership projects in Abingdon. Jeremy Thomas