In addition to supporting teachers, the Stimulating Physics Network also provides support direct to pupils through the programmes below.
Schools and Colleges Lecture Tour
The Schools and Colleges Lecture is presented annually around the UK by a series of acclaimed physics communicators. The free presentation takes the form of an illustrated lecture-demonstration that is designed to show school pupils contemporary developments in physics in an engaging and stimulating way. The 2010 lecture, entitled ”Powering the future – the physics of fusion”, will be given by Melanie Windridge. Dates and venues can be found on the IOP website.
Physics in Perspective
Physics in Perspective is a three-day conference for pupils, featuring dynamic presentations from eight accomplished scientists and science communicators. Aimed at sixth-formers and college students, the event offers insights into many different aspects of modern physical science. The next conference will take place in London on 14–16 February 2010 and will include topics from the cutting edge of physics, up-to-date applications in various technological areas and some “fun” physics. The speakers are chosen for their ability to make physics come alive, to illustrate its impact on our lives and to explore its potential to shape the future world with engineering and technology. For more information, please visits the IOP website.
physics.org
physics.org provides young people with a starting point for exploring physics on the web, bringing together content produced by the IOP and the best online material found elsewhere.
The “Explore” section allows users to search a database of refereed websites for information about a specific topic, while the “Interact” page features a selection of the latest games, videos, podcasts and blogs. Secondary students can find advice and inspiration in the “Study” and “Careers” sections. A new version of the latter will be online early in 2009.
The site also provides information about the IOP’s outreach activities.
IOP 16–19 membership
IOP membership is being extended from January 2010 to include physics students aged 16–19. Membership will be free to anyone on a recognised post-16 physics course.
Lab in a Lorry
Lab in a Lorry is a fleet of three mobile science laboratories, currently operating in Scotland and the East Midlands, that takes hands-on experiments to schools. The aim is to give students aged 11 to 14 the opportunity to experience science as it is really done as opposed to simply repeating demonstrations where the outcome is already known. Each lorry is a self-contained experience – it rolls up and is ready to go. And it's free.
All of the experiments on board Lab in a Lorry are designed to be open-ended and provide a real opportunity for the students to follow their own interests and discoveries. Students are guided through the experiments by volunteers who are working scientists and engineers. The volunteers are encouraged to talk to the students about their own careers and work, providing the students with a rare opportunity to find out what life as a scientist is like from someone not too much older than themselves.
Lab in a Lorry is a partnership project and our partners include the Scottish Government, Opito: The Oil Gas Academy, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Rank Prize Funds and the East Midlands Development Agency. Further information can be found on the Lab in a Lorry website (www.labinalorry.org.uk).