The Centre for Advanced Photonics and Process Analysis (CAPPA) was delighted to recently host a Transition Year Physics and Maths Programme from the 7th – 11th of February 2022. The event is part of the annual CAPPA TY programme and consisted of a series of online talks and interactive seminars across a variety of physics and maths topics. There were over 30 students involved throughout the week with 16 schools taking part from around Cork. Throughout the week, there was a variety of interactive talks and presentations from members of CAPPA as well as MTU Department of Mathematics, MTU Department of Physics Sciences, Tyndall National Institute, Blackrock Castle Observatory, Milestone Solutions, Metabolomic Diagnostics, Microsoft and Pfizer.

Twenty different speakers contributed to this programme covering topics such as:

  • Physics
  • Maths
  • Astronomy
  • Photonics
  • Academic careers in physics
  • Industry careers in physics
  • Nanophotonics
  • Photonics for Medical Applications
  • Measurement Science
  • COVID – 19 Research

The week began with an overview of CAPPA, an interactive maths workshop and physics workshop on measurement science. Day 2 was an overview of photonic devices for medical applications with tours of the Tyndall cleanrooms, a workshop focusing on CAPPA’s COVID – 19 research and the effectiveness of masks as well as a nanophotonics session at the end of the day. Day 3 focused on an overview of an academic career in physics with a panel of all female academic researchers from a variety of fields and backgrounds. Day 4 focused on a career in industry with speakers from a variety of sectors. The final day included an overview of astronomy and careers in the field. The week concluded with student presentations from each school highlighting what the students had learnt throughout the week.

You can learn more about CAPPA’s outreach activities here and view some of the previous outreach activities that have taken place on the CAPPA YouTube channel here.