The Y12 ORBYTS team get to question a NASA scientist

For the last 3 months year 12 students from Wimbledon High have been working alongside students from Ark Putney and RR6 (Ricards Lodge and Rutlish sixth forms) on the ORBYTS project. Our ORBYTS project involves original research into how the plasmasphere changes during geomagnetic storms. We use Van Allen Probe data, with the students taking the lead in carrying out the data analysis using Python. The project is part of the ORBYTS scheme, and more information about that can be found here.  The project aims to provide the students with hands-on experience carrying out original research, as well as giving them opportunities to meet relatable role models and scientists at all stages of their career.

Our project, like most science, is inter disciplinary. We are using a great variety of skills including coding, teamwork and physics and mathematical knowledge.

This week we were so lucky to be able to talk (via Skype) to Lauren Blum, a NASA scientist. It was so interesting to talk to Lauren about her work on GTOSat, and her own career path. The students had a great number of questions. Thank you so much Lauren!