Local pupils meet CERN boss at science event

PUPILS from Londonderry Model Primary School recently hooked up with top nuclear scientist Steve Myers, the Belfast-man responsible for overseeing the Large Hadron Collider - the world’s largest, fasted particle accelerator - which it is hoped will one day answer some of physics’ trickiest questions.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Jan 2011, 08:48 BST

The meeting took place at a special event in Belfast recently showcasing the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects to local young people, teachers and businesses.

The Belfast-born director of the world-renowned CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research) was back in his home town for the launch of the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment’s (CCEA) exciting new STEMWorks website.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Myers was recently appointed Director of Accelerators and Technology at CERN and his responsibilities include the famous accelerator in Switzerland.

He was back home to take part in an interactive day at the Pump-House in Belfast, where visitors, including students and teachers, were treated to exciting demonstrations by exhibitors including W5 and Randox Laboratories.

STEMWorks is an interactive web area, highlighting the importance of STEM to young people, teachers and businesses

The site includes video case studies filmed in schools and STEM enquiry-based learning and teaching resources, set in an industry context. There is also a STEM Directory detailing local STEM related businesses and resources.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Amongst those attending were Londonderry Model pupil Paul Sheridan and teachers and pupils from both the model and Lumen Christi.

Mr Myers was impressed by the launch: “The CCEA STEMWorks site is a high quality online resource with which I am very proud to have been involved.

“Visitors to the site will not be disappointed. There is a wide range of information and activities to keep them engaged and returning again and again.

“You can even take a virtual tour of the CERN offices in Switzerland and listen to interviews with my colleagues. Hopefully we show that a STEM-related work can be a hugely exciting and rewarding career path.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, said: “My Department and I continue to promote the STEM agenda and recognise the importance of providing quality resources and support.

“It is vital we continue to encourage and nurture our children and young people’s talents. It is our job to teach them about the different opportunities available to them. Resources such as this website help to spark their imagination in the STEM subjects which can lead to new and fascinating discoveries.

“All of which opens the potential to different and exciting career paths which they may not have considered.”

Richard Hanna, Director of Education Strategy at CCEA, commented: “Today’s launch event was a fantastic success and we are pleased to see so many visitors here engaging with STEM. We want the new site to stimulate innovative learning and teaching opportunities, encourage pupils to make learning connections across subjects; and enable pupils to better understand how STEM subjects relate to the world of work.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘STEM’ aims to promote children and young people’s engagement with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. It helps to make connections for young people between what they learn in school and its relevance to society and the economy, and as such, addresses the aim and objectives of the Northern Ireland Curriculum.”

The website can be visited at http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/stem/

Related topics:Belfast