I was touched by how every person we met highlighted the fact that we, as students, are the next generation of scientists and that we are needed.

Back in October, 36 young people representing 40 nationalities joined us at CERN to participate in the CERN-Solvay student camp.

These week-long residential camps offer school-aged students, who are curious about science, the opportunity to explore different parts of the lab, meet with experts from CERN and Solvay, and delve into different possibilities for their future studies and careers.

We caught up Maria-Nicole, Sofia, Höskuldur and Vivienne to hear all about it!

Let’s start at the beginning … you open an email to discover you have been chosen to attend the CERN-Solvay camp. How do you react?

‘I think it can be described as complete shock.’ – Maria-Nicole

‘I felt really honoured, grateful, and genuinely surprised to have been selected.’ – Vivienne

And once you got there … did you learn a lot?

‘Certainly. I learned a lot of engineering and physics that is used at CERN and that was so fascinating and wonderful, but what was even greater was learning about the unity and community at CERN. Everyone there was so positive and nice. I also learned about how careers in science are really like and that made me hopeful for my future.’ –  Höskuldur

‘What I learned wasn’t only scientific. Talking with scientists, engineers, and students from many different backgrounds and countries showed me how collaborative and open-minded science truly is.’ – Vivienne

‘The Standard Model lecture was especially memorable for me, as it was like all the pieces of a puzzle were finally fitting together, even though many new concepts were being introduced. Experiencing this level of insight and discovery has inspired me to explore connections between physics and my studies in medicine and neuroscience.’ – Sofia

What will you remember the most about CERN? 

‘I was touched by how every person we met highlighted the fact that we, as students, are the next generation of scientists and that we are needed.’ – Maria-Nicole

‘One of the most unforgettable experiences was our small trip to the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment in France, where we descended 97 meters underground and had the rare chance to see the massive machines and detectors up close. The scale and complexity of the equipment left me in awe, and I could feel the energy and dedication of the scientists who work there every day, inspiring next generations.’ – Sofia

Do you think this experience will help you achieve your future goals?

‘Yes, I do.  Studying science can be hard and challenging at times. But seeing firsthand what happens at CERN encouraged me to stay motivated and not give up. The experience gave me a clearer goal and strengthened my determination to pursue a future in science.’ – Vivienne

‘This experience will without doubt help me achieve my future goals as I have now more motivation, eagerness and confidence to go into the field of science and find my own branch that will fascinate me as much.’ – Maria-Nicole

‘Yes, without a doubt. This camp strengthened my social skills and allowed me to build lasting connections, while giving me a glimpse into how real scientists work. It showed me that pursuing science at the highest level is both possible and super interesting.’ – Sofia

Can you summarise your experience at CERN in one word?

Vivienne: Inspiring

Sofia: Happiness

Höskuldur: Inspiring

Maria-Nicole: Enthralling

Are you keen to support programmes which enable people of all ages to connect with science in an inspiring, enthralling way and which, incidentally, also bring them great happiness?

Donate to the CERN and Society Foundation and make dreams come true for the next generation of scientists.