British Science Museum (South Kensington)

On Thursday, June 27, the EIL students visited the British Science Museum in South Kensington.  They were able to see several Boulton and Watt Steam Engines and Babbage's Difference Engine (Models 1 and 2).  Professors Berry and Aaron awarded trivia winners with candy afterwards.  The group photo (with EIL banner) is taken in front of the 1903 Mill Engine manufactured by Burnley Ironworks Co.  At the invitation of Gareth Jones,  Lead Engineering Technician for the museum, and his Tech Team (Anti and Tom), the students witnessed the running of this particular steam engine.  This sophisticated 700-horsepower engine was installed in the Harle Syke Mill, near Burnley, Lancashire in 1903.  It powered hundreds of looms in the mill, via belts driven by the huge 20-tonne flywheel.  The mill was dismantled in 1970 and moved to the museum in 1979.

Royal Institution (Faraday Laboratory)

On Wednesday evening, June 26, the EIL Students along with Profs. Berry and Aaron visited the Royal Institution (Michael Faraday Museum) near Green Park. In addition to visiting Faraday's Laboratory, the students attended a (Friday) Discourse lecture entitled "The Science of Happiness" by Professor Bruce Hood (Bristol University, UK). His lecture was given in the Royal institution's lecture hall, where Michael Faraday started the Christmas lectures in 1825. The RI today is known for its science education programs, a continuation of the tradition of scientific lectures as enlightened entertainment. The Friday Night Discourses were formal affairs with the audience in evening dress and the speaker by tradition had to start and stop his address as the auditorium clock struck consecutive hours. J. J. Thomson announced the discovery of the electron in his 1897 lecture in this room. The Christmas Lecture program, begun by Michael Faraday and continuing through today, is the oldest continuous science education program for young people.

Breakfast of Champions

Prior to the ECE 301 lecture on Wednesday, June 26, EIL students sample assorted Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Later that evening they observe Faraday's original doughnut-shaped electromagnet at the Royal Institution.

Bletchley Park and National Museum of Computing

On the afternoon of Friday, June 21, the EIL students along with Profs. Berry and Aaron visited Bletchley Park (north of London). Bletchley Park (BP) is where Alan Turing and his colleagues in Hut 8 broke the (naval) Enigma code during World War II. The students witnessed demonstrations of working Enigma, Bombe, Tunny, and Colossus machines. The Colossus was the world's first electric digital computer that was programmable. The Colossus computers were developed to help in the cryptanalysis of the Hitler's Lorenz cipher.  Our National Museum of Computing (NMC) guide for the afternoon, Robert Dowell, did a fantastic job explaining both the history and design of all the early cypher and computing machines.  Before visiting Hut 8 and the Turing archives in BP, the students toured the Bletchley Park Mansion and then posed for a few group photos.

Greenwich

On Thursday, June 20, the EIL students along with Profs. Berry and Aaron took an Uber boat up the Thames River to Greenwich.  After arrival, the group took a short bus ride to the Thames Barrier, just north of the Greenwich Town Centre. Operated by the Environment Agency of the British government, the Thames Barrier is one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world.  Returning to Greenwich (via bus), the EIL students toured the Cutty Sark ship and the Royal Observatory. In the Time and Longitude Gallery of the Flamsteed House at the Royal Observatory, students were able to see the four Harrison's sea clocks from the eighteenth century.  Harrison's H4 clock is considered the most important timekeeper ever made. It is the machine that helped solve the problem of keeping accurate time at sea and finally won Harrison huge rewards from the Board of Longitude and the British Government.  As is customary,  group photos were taken at the Prime Meridian (Longitude 0) and with Southeast London as the background. Upon completing the tour of the Royal Observatory, the students headed down Greenwich hill for a brief yoga practice with Prof. Berry on a pitch adjacent to the Maritime Museum.

Birthdays Abroad

Celebrating birthdays while studying abroad sometimes means celebrating without family for the first time.  Fortunately,  EIL students tend to form bonds that can last a lifetime. They become like family!

Westminster Matins Service

Sixteen EIL students joined Professors Berry and Aaron in attending the 10:00am Matin service at Westminster Abbey (Church of England) on Sunday, June 16.  In addition to the angelic voices of the choir and spiritual readings and prayers given by worship leaders, the students were able to see the tombs of both Sir Issac Newton, Robert Stephenson, Thomas Telford, and James Prescott Joule as they made their way through the halls of the Abbey. After the service, the group enjoyed tea and cakes at Caffé Concerto in Whitehall (near Traflagar Square).

London Water and Steam Museum (Kew Bridge)

On Friday June 14, the EIL students along with Profs. Aaron and Berry visited the London Museum of Water and Steam (formerly Kew Bridge Steam Museum) at Kew Bridge. They witnessed the startup of the three-story Bull Engine (named for Cornish engineer Edward Bull) that began pumping in 1859.  That engine was capable of pumping 235 gallons per stroke or 4.3 million gallons of water in a twenty-four hour period. Museum staff members and engineers, Danielle, Hannah, Chris, and Clythe, did a marvelous job of presenting the history, design, function, and preservation of each of the steam machines visited.  The tour this year also included the boiler room, tool and parts shop, and the Victorian (belt-driven) tool workshop.  The students were also shown the 90-inch Grand Junction Engine (the largest working beam engine in the world) and the Boulton and Watt engine (built in 1820) that was moved to Kew Bridge from the Grand Junction Waterworks Company's Chelsea works in 1840.  The group photo was taken between the James Kay Dancers End and Easton and Amos engines just before the lunch break.  Before leaving the Museum, the students competed in a bubble relay under very windy conditions.