“We are delighted to have been accepted onto the Physics Experience week at the Physics and Astronomy department of the University of Birmingham, and we’re really excited and can’t wait to go as it will be great fun and give us the chance to learn so much. We’re really looking forward to meeting like-minded people,” said Jennifer Bateman and Alexa Wittkop, the two recipients, both Year 11 physics students from the Kidderminster-based school.
Birmingham University was looking for individual students, committed to studying A Levels in physics and mathematics, who could demonstrate from their previous academic studies that they have the ability to apply themselves to university-level physics and who could communicate their enthusiasm for the subject. Twenty-four places in total were available for the week, which takes place next July.
Holy Trinity head of science, Mrs Judith Mackie-Smith, commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity for both students who will give maximum commitment and greatly benefit from their increased knowledge as well as enjoying a taste of university life. The week is so interesting I wish I was able to attend myself.
“We are very fortunate to be involved so closely with the School of Physics and Astronomy of such a prestigious University. This is an amazing opportunity for both Jenny and Alexa, and one which will certainly enhance their learning.”
Each day the students will be involved in a mixture of talks, workshops and activities, encountering such topics as Particle Physics and the Large Hadron Collider, gravitational waves, astrophysics and imaging with antimatter, as well as the prospect of interacting with academic staff and current students.
“The two students were both very enthusiastic and keen to attend, and given the contact we have had with Mrs. Mackie-Smith and Holy Trinity in the past, and her own enthusiasm to make links with the university department to enhance the students learning, we decided we could offer two places to Holy Trinity School this year,” said Lynne Long from Birmingham University.
Holy Trinity International school is an independent co-educational day school and nursery. It has applied for free school status from Sept 2014.