Mentored in Cambridge summer school

Created on August 14, 2026

2026

This week I had the wonderful opportunity work as a mentor for students from Iceland as a part of their week-long summer school in Cambridge. It was amazing to develop a relationship with the students and to watch their confidence grow. We also got a wonderful view of the solar eclipse from Churchill College, where the astronomical society were handing out viewing-safe glasses.

The students had a diverse range of activities, from attending research talks from academics, practicing their debating skills at the Union, and enjoying a tour of the historic city centre.

Eclipse with view of Churchill College
Figure 1. We watched the solar eclipse from the grounds of Churchill College. It doesn't come out well in my photo (taken on iPhone 13), but you can see the eclipse in the lens flare of the camera. At it's peak, more than 90% of the Sun's surface was hidden by the Moon, and the scene was noticibly dimmer. It was like dusk had begun, but the Sun was still high in the sky.