Wales
In July 2008 the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) awarded money to the Institute of Physics to run Stimulating Physics in Wales. Stimulating Physics was originally a Higher Education Funding Council for England funded initiative which ran from May 2006 to July 2009 in England. Its aims were to find ways of increasing the numbers of students taking physics at A-level and progressing onto a degree in physics. Stimulating Physics in Wales took five strands from the original initiative into Wales and added a strand which suited local interests. The projects chosen had a broad range. Some were concerned with demonstrating the application of physics, both in industry and by providing an enterprise activity within a physics context. Others were closer to the classroom, supporting non-specialist teachers, and looking at the bridge between A-level and degree-level.
The six strands were:
- The Teacher Fellowship Scheme
- Teacher Support
- Industry Visits
- Online Networking
- Careers and Enterprise
- Engaging with the Public
Next steps
Certain elements are continuing in the National HE STEM Programme. More information about the National HE STEM Programme can be found on the National HE STEM Programme website. Information regarding the work that the Institute is doing as part of the programme can be found here.
