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XMaS Scientist Experience 2016

Project Background

The aim:

To encourage young women to consider science careers.

The launch:

The competition was launched nationwide with help from IGGY, Sepnet, STEMNet, Ogden Trust and IOP.

The competition:

Students were asked to write a two page essay on ‘What is the legacy of Dorothy Hodgkin, both on the study of structure on an atomic scale and for women in Science?’ as well as being asked why they would like to go on the trip.

The deadline for the competition was 10th February 2016.

XMaS Science Galas:

The XMaS Science Galas 2016 took place at University of Warwick on 3rd February 2016 and University of Liverpool on 10th February 2016.

The info evening:

The students, teachers and their families were invited to an information evening at University of Liverpool the Physics department on 2nd June 2016 6-9pm to get to know one another and to receive more information about the trip.


The XMaS Scientist Experience Trip!:

The trip took place 3rd-7th July 2016.

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Trip Itinerary:

Sunday 3rd July

8:45: Coach from Cardinal Newman, Preston
10:00: Coach from University of Liverpool
13.00: Meet and buffet lunch
14.00: Programme:

  • Get to know each other
  • Particles in a field
  • How does a synchrotron work?

19.00: Dinner

Monday 4th July

11.00: Mini bus to leave University of Warwick Campus
11.20: Arrive at airport
13:20: Flight departs Birmingham airport
(The following times are in French local time which is one hour ahead of UK time)
18:05: Arrive at Lyon airport
19.30: Coach from Lyon airport to Grenoble
21:00: Meal at the Hotel Restaurant

Tuesday 5th July

8.15: Get tram to EPN Campus
8.30: Arrive at Gatehouse
9.00-16:00: Synchrotron@School programme including:
The work of a scientist: from the experiment to communicating:

  • Presentation of the synchrotron
  • Experimental group projects
  • Introduction to communication: present your results

16.30: Return to hotel
19.00: Meet in lobby
19.30: Dinner at ''Ferme à Dédé'', a restaurant serving mountain like dishes with melted cheese, cheese and more cheese! (Fondues, raclettes, tartiflettes for the experts). A flavor of what it is like leaving in the Alps.

Wednesday 6th July

8.30: Get tram to EPN Campus
9.15: Arrive at Gatehouse
9.00-12.30: Synchrotron@School programme: visit of ESRF experimental stations
12.30-13.30: Lunch in the canteen with Scientists
13:30-14:15 leave EPN Campus
16.30: Meet in hotel lobby
17.00: Arrive at the Bastille cable cars (alternative options available)
19.30: Meal at ''Festival des Pizzas'', a restaurant located in what the locals call ''pizzas street'' on the italian quarter of Grenoble.

Thursday 7th July

8.30: Leave hotel
9.00-10.05: Coach from Grenoble to Lyon Airport
12.50: Flight departs Lyon airport
16.40 (UK Time): Flight arrives into Birmingham airport
17.00: Mini bus departs Birmingham to Liverpool/Preston and Warwick University
17.30: Meet at Physics car park Warwick


Students will present what they learnt at XMaS Science Galas 2017!


Contact Us:

Kayleigh Lampard

University of Warwick, Physics Department, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL

kayleigh dot lampard at warwick dot ac dot uk

02476 151773