Stimulating Physics

About Us

The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres have formed a partnership to establish and run a support network for teachers and pupils of physics in England. This is known as the Stimulating Physics Network. The aim of the Stimulating Physics Network is to provide an inspiring, coherent and sustainable programme of lessons, activities and continuing professional development (CPD) to achieve a step change in the teaching of physics in England.

The network consists of 37 Physics Network co-ordinators and 23 Teaching and Learning Coaches – all knowledgeable, experienced and enthusiastic specialists who are supported by the IOP’s Education Department.

The 60-strong network provides:

• global support for all secondary schools from the Physics Network Co-ordinators;
• intensive support for approximately 300 selected schools (Stimulating Physics Network schools) from the Teaching and Learning Coaches.

Its work is backed up by:

• a roving Teaching and Learning Ambassador;
• specialist science colleges, which will provide supplementary and complementary local links;
• support from universities, STEMNET and STEMNET contract holders to ensure that pupils benefit from a range of E&E activities.

In-school and regionally based activities are complemented by innovative online and community spaces, providing for:

• mentoring and online learning experience for pupils;
• coaching and peer-to-peer interaction for teachers.

	Teacher support	Pupil support
All schools	Physics Network Co-ordinator local, bespoke workshops regional meetings peer-to-peer links (personal and online) community website IOP teaching and learning resources Physics Update courses Affiliated Schools Scheme Girls in the Physics Classroom	Schools Lecture Tour higher-education taster days Physics in Perspective e-mentoring and Ask an Expert youth membership of the IOP enrichment and enhancement activities careers resources enterprise activities IOP website (www.physics.org)
Stimulating Physics Network schools	personal relationship and support from a local Teaching and Learning Coach needs analysis in-school bespoke CPD for non-specialists local networking (personal and online) summer schools	visiting Teaching and Learning Ambassador lessons taught by Teaching and Learning Coaches enrichment and enhancement activities free IOP affiliation

To find out more about each of these opportunities and to discuss how your school could become involved:

• visit our education pages on the IOP website;
• contact the regional External Liaison Officer in your region;
• contact us here.

Goals

The main goals of the Stimulating Physics Network are to:

• improve student perceptions of physics;
• increase participation in physics A-level;
• increase the number of students expressing a desire to take A-level physics;
• increase the proportion of girls choosing physics A-level;
• develop a better appreciation of physics careers and careers where a physics qualification is an advantage;
• improve the quality of physics lessons, making them more effective, engaging and enjoyable;
• increase the amount of physics-based enrichment and enhancement (E&E) activities in schools;
• improve the engagement of school senior leadership teams and increase the value given to physics and subject-based CPD.