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St Michael’s Student wins CERN Particle School Competition

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St Michael’s student wins CERN Particle School Competition

One of our Sixth Form scientists, Francis Aigbe, recently entered the Southwark Schools CERN Particle School Competition. As one of only five winners from across the borough, Francis has been invited to Meyrin, Switzerland to attend Particle School.

Francis commented: I had to submit an essay about a topic that is currently of interest to CERN. The topic I choose was Dark Energy and Dark Matter. It I suggested that Dark Matter makes up almost a third of the universe, whereas the “visible” matter we see on earth only around 5 percent. Dark energy is an unknown quantity that probably constitutes almost two thirds of the universe. The reason I thought to apply to The Particle School was because I wanted to experience the life of a research physicist; and I have always wanted to visit CERN because it has the world’s largest accelerated particle collider.

Professor Bowcock and his judging panel were very impressed by the quality of Francis’ submission. Overall, they chose essays that showed a clear level of subject understanding, being aimed at the audience outlined in the remit. Francis is a deserved winner.