A group of budding physicists from Grwp Llandrillo Menai got the opportunity to carry out a range of experiments on a recent trip to the renowned Photonics Academy of Wales.

Twelve A-level students (six from the Pwllheli campus and six from Dolgellau) visited the Photonics Academy of Wales at Bangor University over two days, where they were given an inspirational talk by Professor Ray Davies, who is the director of the academy.

The students also got the chance to carry out various experiments and delve into some of the 400-plus inventions that have been developed at the academy.

Professor Davies defines Photonics as “the manipulation, control and detection of light energy”.

He said: “Opto-electronics is a huge sector and we are trying to ensure that it continues to thrive and that there is a flow of young people coming through from our schools, colleges and universities.

“Those who do qualify usually walk straight into jobs.”

Prof Davies aims to change teenagers’ perceptions that physics – and, by implication, photonics – is a boring subject to be avoided at school and college at all costs.

He does this by showing students how to use photonics to create solutions to everyday problems.

“We don’t always know whether lasers are the best way to do something – but by building a prototype we can find out,” added Prof Davies.

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