Jodrell Bank Workshop Gives Physics Students a Real Life Project

Science students from Cronton Sixth Form welcomed Naomi Smith from the Jodrell Bank Observatory to their A Level class last week.

Naomi ran a workshop with the second year physics students, who have been studying gravitational forces and astronomy in class. The students were excited to be able to use real life data which was collected at Jodrell Bank to calculate the rotational velocity of one of our local galaxies and calculate it’s mass.
They also spent time in the session investigating the shape and size of radio telescopes and learnt about projects such as e-Merlin and European research collaborations.
Dr Paul Jackson, Physics Tutor at Cronton Sixth Form said, “Naomi delivered an exciting workshop for the students, especially those who are thinking of a possible career in physics, as they had the opportunity to work with real life data and apply it to projects they have been studying in class.
“It was fantastic for a representative from Jodrell bank to come to the College and work with the students in a practical way and it has helped the students develop a greater understanding of the subject.”