Travelling minutes underground to visit a large nuclear experiment is not exactly a regular feature in my diary, but it did make for one of the most interesting engagements I’ve undertaken as Education Secretary.‬‪

Firstly, the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN) shows us that international collaboration works and it’s best to be in there as a partner. Scotland is already deeply involved with a number of scientists and graduate students working there, and Glasgow and Edinburgh universities are actively engaged in one of the world’s most important experiments.‬‪

Secondly, long term investment in science pays off. CERN has been operating since 1955 and stands on the threshold of incredible discoveries, primarily because of that major long term involvement. There has of course been many discoveries already made there over the years with huge spin-off effects. For example we now have pet scanners because of the work done at CERN!‬‪

The third thing I think it teaches us is that there are ways to enthuse young people about science. The young people who came with me were sixth year physics students, already very motivated but were really excited about what they saw.‬‪

A lot of the discussion I had with education officers, senior scientists and Scottish scientists there was about how you enthuse younger children and how you enthuse young people to consider science as a career and work their way through to places and jobs where they could push back the frontiers of science.‬‪

All of these things are very important to Scotland and I think that building and cementing our relationships with CERN can only be positive.‬‪

Of course, it’s also the most remarkable place. When you see the Atlas machine, one of the largest experimental machines in the world, in a huge underground cavern, or the actual accelerator that goes round a 27 km tunnel, you realise the scale of the undertaking. An enormous amount of effort goes into making it happen, including the co-operation of innumerable scientists, engineers and surveyors.‬‪

When you see the range of people who work there, from EU member states and other countries throughout the world, you see how exciting collaboration can be.‬‪

I will be keeping an even closer eye on news from CERN from now on, and hope you will too.‬

Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning