Ten Scottish pupils and teachers were in Geneva today to help raise awareness of Scotland’s role in cutting edge science and to promote careers in the field.

The visit took in CERN (the European Organisation for Nuclear Research), one of the world’s largest and most respected centres for scientific research and home of the Large Hadron Collider.

The facility focuses on fundamental physics – exploring what the Universe is made of and how it works, with the Collider used to study the smallest known particles which are the building blocks of all matter in the universe.

The pupils were joined by Education Secretary Michael Russell, Scotland’s Chief Scientific Adviser Anne Glover and Professor Jim Hough of the University of Glasgow – a world leading expert on Gravitational waves who works closely with Scottish scientists based at CERN.

Mr Russell said:

“Science is central to Scotland’s future economic growth. It is therefore essential that our young people are supported and encouraged to take up career opportunities in science and helped to achieve their full potential in this important subject, at school and beyond. I hope that meeting young Scots at the top of their field can show these youngsters exactly what can be achieved with hard work and dedication in their science class.”

Anne Glover said:

“These young people have had a wonderful opportunity to see science in action at CERN and to speak to some of the Scottish researchers working on the projects that get to the very heart of what the Universe is made of and how it works. There are around 40 scientists from Scotland working at CERN, a testament to the quality of our research base and a fantastic inspiration for young people wanting to see where a career in science can take you.”