Imagine the excitement of pupils from Coatham, St Bedes, Eldon Grove, Tilery, Sacred Heart and New Silksworth Primary Schools as they followed in the footsteps of legendary figures like Sir David Attenborough, Stephen Fry, Dame Emma Thompson, and King Charles II at Cambridge University; our lastest Power of Women inspiration day!
This unforgettable trip, funded by renowned astronomer Carole Haswell from the School of Physical Sciences at the Open University, offered these Teesside students a chance to explore King’s College and the Institute of Astronomy (IoA).
The adventure began with a guided tour of King’s College, led by current Cambridge students and university ambassadors. The children explored the site (very carefully remembering not to walk on the very well-kept grass and avoiding the cows that live on the grounds securing the land for the university). These children began to see the myriad opportunities available to future scholars at this prestigious institution.
Next, a short journey took them to the Institute of Astronomy, where Carole Haswell and Matt Bothwell hosted an interactive lecture in a Cambridge University lecture theatre. The students impressed their hosts with their inquisitive and thoughtful questions. They even got the chance to get a close-up look at the Northumberland Telescope, featuring its impressive 30cm lens, and take a trip to the library with books that were over 500 years old.
It was a day filled with inspiration and excitement, leaving these young students with dreams of their own academic futures.
