Students Win Trip to ESRF in Grenoble

Three Sixth Form students from Merchant Taylors’ have won an all expenses paid trip to the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, after taking part in a national competition run by Warwick University.

The ESRF is the world’s most intense X-ray source and a centre of excellence for fundamental and innovation-driven research in condensed and living matter science. Located in Grenoble, France, the ESRF owes its success to the international cooperation of 22 partner nations, of which 13 are Members and 9 are Associates.

Samantha Harrison, Pippa Bailey and Maggie Nichols will all spend four days in Grenoble after winning the XMaS Scientist Experience 2019 competition. The girls were tasked with writing a two page essay on ‘What is the legacy of Dorothy Hodgkin, both in the study of structure on an atomic scale and in championing the cause of women in science?’, as well as why they would like to go on the trip.

Once in Grenoble all three students will experience what life might be like as an international research scientist. They will visit the ESRF and take part in the Synchrotron@School Programme. The programme is an innovative educational programme which originated in 2013 as a partnership between the ESRF and the “Académie de Grenoble”. It consists of a full day of scientific immersion tailored specifically for high-school students.

A massive congratulations to all three from everyone at Merchant Taylors’, we look forward to hearing all about the trip!