Physics students take a trip to Electric Mountain
Last week thirty four Physics students from the Centre of Excellence in Science and Maths at Cronton Sixth Form College visited Electric Mountain in North Wales to learn more about the challenges facing the UK in providing a sustainable supply of electricity in the future.
The day, which was funded by the Institute of Physics, gave the students an opportunity to meet with scientists and engineers to discuss the latest research and future career opportunities in this rapidly expanding field.
The students firstly visited the Centre for Solar Energy Research in St Asaph to meet Professor Stuart Irvine and his colleagues from Glyndwr University. During the morning they had a tour of the semiconductor growth and characterisation laboratories and viewed the impressive 1176 m2 array of photovoltaic solar cells which make up the front wall of the university building.
In the afternoon the students went on to visit Electric Mountain in Llanberis to learn more about the Dinorwig pumped storage hydroelectric power station.
Callum Stevens, a student at Cronton who has been offered a place at Cambridge University to study Natural Science said, “It was interesting to talk to Professor Irvine and find out how he thought solar power would develop in the UK over the next ten years.”
Professor Irvine said, “I am glad the visits were a success and the students enjoyed the experience. We enjoyed showing off our research facilities and found the students very appreciative”
Dr Pam Dugdale, Head of Physics at Cronton, said “The trip was really enjoyable and covered certain topics on the A-level Physics in a practical way. It was also an excellent opportunity for students to talk to research scientists and engineers and find out about different careers in Physics and Engineering.”