Abstract
When Mary took up her appointment in the Institute's Education Department in June 1997, she indicated that she wished to return to teaching in two or three years. We have just heard that in September she will be joining the staff of the Science Department at Camden Girls' School, London.
Mary's departure from the Institute is a great loss to the Department, where she has worked tirelessly, and with great imagination, to support those who teach physics at all secondary levels - and at primary level too when the opportunity presented itself. She has made tremendous contributions to the careers side of the Department's work, supporting careers events, providing informal training for others willing to do the same, helping to develop new careers materials and identifying people whom the Institute could use as role models or as the subject of case studies in print or electronic publications. Mary has been equally happy and willing to support pupils, students and teachers, and has been a wonderful role model herself, coming from an industrial research background, training for teaching after a career break and willing and able to teach biology, chemistry and design technology as well as physics. Mary has also written and edited Phases virtually single-handed.
We are delighted to hear that Mary will continue to support the department's work as one of its teacher `volunteers'.
Ilya Eigenbrot
We are pleased to report that Ilya Eigenbrot, who will be known to some through his work at the Royal Institution and his appearances at the Christmas Lectures in a technical support role, has agreed to give the IOP Schools (touring) Lecture next year. The subject will be Lasers and this will follow nicely on to Zbig's lecture this year.
Resources (print)
Physics on Course
The tenth issue of the Institute's popular guide to higher education, Physics on Course 2001, will be published early in July and distributed to all schools and colleges in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Its pages are brimming with useful information to help sixth-formers and college students who wish to study physics make the very important decision regarding their particular choice of course and university.
Under the heading `Summary tables of physics courses' every university listed in the publication has a table which includes all the courses on offer, their entrance requirements, duration and the awards given. Another section of the book entitled `Departmental information' includes data on the teaching and assessment styles of the Physics Department, special facilities plus a contact name and address.
These sections, together with an expanded set of case studies of recent students and various other interesting articles, make this publication a must for anyone who is considering studying physics at university. Copies of Physics on Course 2001 will be available from Leila Solomon, Education Department, Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London, W1N 3DH.
The Particle Physics Wallchart (PCET)
This full-colour chart, with a set of Teachers Notes, was published recently. It has been developed by PCET with Professor Peter Kalmus acting as expert consultant. The cost of the chart and notes is £7.75 plus VAT and copies can be purchased from PCET, 27 Kirchen Road, London W13 0UD (fax: 020 8566 5120).
Inspire II
The second part of Inspire was published in the Spring. It is a highly visual, full-colour leaflet which can be used as a stand-alone item but which was designed to `nest' inside the first four-page spread which was distributed in February. The occupational areas for physicists covered in the second leaflet include the media/leisure, finance and engineering (at technician level) industries. The third of the intended four sheets will be published later this year. (Copies of Inspire II have been included in the Affiliated schools/colleges package; other schools/colleges will be sent copies on request.)
Nanotechnology - a technical brief
The Industrial Affairs Department of the Institute is working on a series of Technical Briefs to broaden the provision of physics information to Members. The first title in the series, `Nanotechnology', is due to be published last month. The aim of this new series is to provide technical updates on current applications of physics, targeted at the nonspecialist scientist and engineer. The emphasis will be on burgeoning areas of physics with potential application across several or many fields. `Nanotechnology', for example, will sketch the background to the field, indicate the current state of the art and give a realistic view on future developments.
The target readers are Institute of Physics Members in general, not specialists in nanotechnology or related topics and, in this respect, the Briefs could be of great interest to teachers. They are free of charge to Members but £7.50 for non-members. To obtain a copy, contact Emma Woods on 020 7470 4927 or by e-mail (emma.woods@iop.org).
Courses
Physics Update: 8-10 July, University of York
The information leaflet/booking form for this course was sent to schools and colleges at the beginning of this term. Lecture topics include Ultrasonic imaging, Chaos, and The search for extra-terrestrial intelligent life. There will be workshops on New activities from Salters Horners physics, Computer modelling in A2 physics and Misconceptions in the learning of forces. Further information and booking forms are available from Leila Solomon.
The venues and dates of subsequent Update courses are:
8-10 December, Oxford University
31 March-2 April 2001, Malvern College
7-9 July 2001, Royal Holloway College, London
Teaching Physics INSET Days
Following successful pilot runs in the summer term last year and at IOP Congress, the Education Department is organizing four (possibly five) INSET days for those teaching physics at KS3 without a strong background in the subject. The recent dates in June were all fully booked.
The programme will be basically same for all the events with an introductory talk Inspiring Your Pupils, followed by workshops on Forces, Electricity and Light designed to enhance participants' knowledge of physics and its applications and to improve their confidence in teaching that knowledge. At each venue there will be an opportunity to tour the facilities, meet the staff and to assess the potential for school visits or link activities. The fee including course materials, lunch and other refreshments is £25. Leaflets have been sent to schools in the localities but further copies will be sent on request. Places are limited and prompt booking is essential. Further courses are planned for the autumn term as follows: Explore@Bristol (4 October) and possibly London in November.
Substantially similar events may be organized for those teaching physics at KS4 in the Spring term of 2001.
Physics Discipline Network Workshop: 14/15 September, University of Leeds
`Our assessment of students and the media's assessment of us!' is the focus of this two-day event. The network was established in 1994 to encourage debate and discussion of teaching and learning initiatives among university physicists. Over the past five years the annual workshops have attracted over 200 delegates from most of the UK university physics departments. This year's workshop looks set to get off to a lively start with Professor Paul Black questioning the typical format of university physics examinations. This will be followed by a session on `A question of chemistry - creative problems for critical thinkers' which it is hoped will prompt thinking about comparable approaches in physics. This is just the start of a full programme of presentations including grass roots innovative practices as well as lead speakers of national prominence. Attention will focus on schools, too, with an input on the Pupil Researcher Initiative as a way of promoting physics at school level. Further details of this event are available from Dr Ashley Clarke in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leeds.
Physics at Work Exhibition: 12-14 September, University of Cambridge
The year 2000 Exhibition will be the 16th organized by Brenda Jennison. The exhibition will be held at the Cavendish Laboratory and further details can be obtained from Brenda at the University (tel: 01223 332888, fax: 01223 332894 or e-mail: bmj10@cam.ac.uk).
News on GNVQ science
The Institute of Physics and the Royal Society of Chemistry are currently financing the compilation of a directory of resources to assist teachers in identifying and selecting suitable materials for teaching the new GNVQ science specifications. Work on the first part of the directory will soon be completed and it is hoped to publish the material in both print and electronic forms before the end of the summer term. This first part covers resources - all evaluated by practising GNVQ teachers - supporting the teaching of the compulsory units for Advanced GNVQ Science. A small team comprising a physics teacher, a chemistry teacher and a biology teacher, all involved with GNVQ programmes and led by Dr Ken Gadd, has carried out the work. They have established a network of teachers around the country to help with the evaluation of curriculum materials.
The next part of the project will be to examine the feasibility of providing a similar listing for the optional units at this level. Future development, depending on the availability of funds, will extend the project to Intermediate level programmes in science, including the Part One, once its structure has been agreed at QCA. Further information about the Directory and the next phase of development will be available in the autumn.
Activities
Physics on Stage
The future of science, technology and the ensuing wealth creation potential for Britain will depend on the quality of science education in schools today. Yet the numbers studying physics, which underpins science and engineering, are falling. This problem is currently evident throughout Europe.
CERN, ESA and ESO (the European centres for high-energy physics, cosmology, space and astronomy) have just launched Physics on Stage, a Europe-wide programme which aims to draw attention to some of the best practices in physics teaching in schools and colleges.
During this year, national programmes are being planned in 22 nations, leading on to a celebratory event at CERN during the European Week for Science and Technology (6-11 November). Here 400 delegates from the 22 participating nations will gather to present selected projects. The UK will have 40 delegates present, funded by the EC and we are seeking practising teachers to contribute their simple, transferable, practical ideas. These can be kitemarked and your school can use the Physics on Stage logo. We would like to hear from both primary and secondary schools in the UK. Teachers can apply to join the delegation by saying what they have to offer to the festival and how they would contribute to the dissemination of good practice afterwards.
This would be an opportunity to discover what novel ideas and insights there are on the continent and then to share what you have learned with colleagues at home. It would also be an excellent opportunity to show off some of the good practice from UK classrooms. In return for the week's trip to Geneva (and cover) we ask that participants commit themselves to sharing what they have learned with UK teachers - through meetings, advanced skills teaching or perhaps even writing an article (for Physics Education?). Applications should be supported by a letter from your headteacher.
Schools, other organizations and individuals may apply for a kite-mark for a project but the application should be supported by a letter from someone unconnected with the organization of the project. Nominations should be sent to Dr Steven Chapman, Secretary to the UK National Steering Committee Physics on Stage, 76 Portland Place, London W1N 3DH (e-mail: steven.chapman@iop.org), from whom further information about this initiative can also be obtained. More details can additionally be found on the website at www.physics-on-stage.co.uk. The closing date for kite-marking of projects is 30 September and that for applications to travel to Geneva is 30 July.