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Orchard Park High School

Year 11 blast off to Brussels!

What a fantastic and enriching trip our Year 11 students had on their recent educational excursion to the heart of Europe – Brussels, Belgium!

The itinerary was packed with cultural, scientific, and historical highlights, making for an unforgettable learning experience.

Science and space exploration

Our journey kicked off with a deep dive into the cosmos, starting at the Euro Space Centre.

Students explored exhibits on astronaut training, space travel, and the solar system, providing a hands-on connection to their physics curriculum.

We then continued our celestial education at the Planetarium. This immersive experience offered a stunning view of the night sky, deepening their understanding of astronomical concepts and the vastness of the universe.

The monumental Atomium, a symbol of Brussels, was another scientific highlight. Students learned about its history as a structure built for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair and how its nine spheres represent an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. It was a towering lesson in both architecture and crystallography!

History, economics, and culture

To connect our students with the world of finance, we visited the National Bank of Belgium Museum. The exhibits provided a fascinating look at the history of money, from ancient forms of payment to the evolution of the Euro. Interactive displays helped students grasp the complex role of a central bank in the economy, offering valuable insights for their future studies.

The trip also had a sweet side! At Choco-Story, students immersed themselves in the history of cocoa and the secrets of Belgian chocolate-making. Naturally, sampling the delicious finished product was a crucial part of the learning process!

Finally, our students soaked up the festive Belgian atmosphere at the Christmas Market. This cultural experience allowed them to practice their French skills, try local specialities, and appreciate the vibrant European holiday traditions.

This trip was a huge success, providing our Year 11s with real-world context for their academic studies across science, economics, and history. 

Miss Ebanks and Mr Alabi