STUDENTS of Energy Coast UTC have visited Geneva to see the leading facility on nuclear research as well as the United Nations building.

Director of Learning Ian Linder took UTC’s science department to the Swiss city for five days where they got to see the largest particle physics laboratory in the world at Cern, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research.

The group were taken 100m underground to see the Large Hadron Collider which is a rare privilege for visitors.

The guided tour included a hands-on workshop where students built their own particle detector, linking in with year 12 studies.

Between educational tours, there was an opportunity for students to take in the weather, culture and cuisine of Switzerland.

Cultural activities saw students visiting the United Nations buildings, the National History Museum and the Geneva Museum of Art and History.

Students were given the chance to see inside the conference rooms of the United Nations Office at Geneva which is based at the historic Palais des Nations which was originally built for the League of Nations in the 1930s.

The trip also included a night-time walking tour of the city to take in the sights and a boat trip on Lake Geneva.

UTC principal Cherry Tingle said: “This trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel underground and see, first hand, the workings of the particle accelerator and discuss this with prize winning physicists. I’m very envious.”

Head boy and year 13 student, Ellis Dineley said: “This was my first trip out of the UK and it did not disappoint.

“I was most looking forward to visiting Cern and the United Nations buildings and both were a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity.

“Our Cern tour guide was great and I don’t think we would ever have had the chance to get as close to the LHC unless we were actually working on it.

“It was also really interesting talking to the United Nations employees about their experiences. The trip was a great learning experience and has really helped me with my studies.”