Wednesday 6 May 2015 Sam Gregson (OL02) returned to school to launch a new science education partnership which will see Leeds and Harrogate schools share their resources to benefit students. The venture was launched at an interactive talk at GSAL by Sam (pictured right), along with his colleagues Dr Ben Still and Dr Aidan Randle-Conde, all physicists involved in research at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. The new Leeds and Harrogate Ogden Schools Science Partnership is supported by The Ogden Trust, a science education charity with a remit to maximise science learning opportunities for young people, especially in physics. During the talk, entitled Large Hadron Colliding, the scientists used beach balls, a giant elastic band and a sledgehammer to demonstrate the inner workings of the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator. There was plenty of audience participation with flying beach balls to demonstrate colliding particles, a giant elastic band encircling three student volunteers representing the strong nuclear force and a sledgehammer to illustrate taking something apart to see how it works, using the right tool for the job. Tom Rogerson, head of physics at GSAL, said: “We are committed to playing our part in creating the next generation of scientists, who are needed to help meet skills shortages and drive economic growth. The support of the Ogden Trust means that we can work together with other schools to improve attainment and inspire pupils about physics, by providing experiences that demonstrate its relevance to so many areas of our lives.” GSAL is the hub school for the new partnership which also includes St Aidan’s C of E High School, St John Fisher Catholic High School and Ashville College, all Harrogate; Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Otley; Fulneck School, Pudsey; Batley Girls’ High School; and Leeds schools David Young Community Academy, Allerton High, Corpus Christi Catholic College and Horsforth School. Alumni News
