Members of the winning Royal Air Squadron Trophy team visited Trinity College in Oxford, at the invitation of Loughborough High School Alumna, Dr Alexy Karenowska, as part of the college’s VE Day celebrations.
The three-part celebration involved a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of VE day, a dedication by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and Sir Antony Gormely of a new piece of public sculpture to the memory of the physicist Henry Moseley, and a celebration of the life of the radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi and his contribution to saving the lives of allied servicemen and women in both wars.
Henry Moseley, the renowned physicist and soldier, made a lasting impact before his untimely death during WWI at Gallipoli. He notably redefined how we understand the periodic table by discovering that the ordering of elements should be by atomic number instead of mass. The new portrait unveiled during the ceremony reflects the profound legacy of Moseley, who was both a student and teacher at Trinity College, and his contributions to science.
In attendance, along with senior scientists from around the world, was Princess Elettra Marconi, daughter of Guglielmo Marconi – inventor of the radio – who spoke of her father’s groundbreaking work and the benefits it brought to British forces during the First World War. Marconi played a crucial role in advancing long-range communication techniques which his daughter referred to as “fusion of the physics of the world and nature.”
Combined Cadet Force RAF Cadets were also invited to take part in a session titled ‘The physics of Signalling’ with the Royal Signals Museum and the Oxford and District Amateur Radio Society. The workshop highlighted the role that radio communication plays within the armed forces and gave our pupils the chance to try communication types from over the years and to understand how these have advanced over time.
Within the historic setting of a world-renowned academic institution, RAF cadets were honoured to be involved in this enriching experience which celebrated the legacies of two remarkable individuals and their significant impact on the world.
I am very proud to be associated with the Loughborough Schools Foundation and everything it represents
Dr Alexy Karenowska
