Workshop Level: GCSE

Duration: One Day

This one day Year 10–11 event runs on demand here on campus, including during half-term breaks. The purpose is to give pupils who have just completed GCSE-level physics an insight into studying physics at A-level and the potential careers available to them. In particular, this event is unique in that it is run by girls for girls with the aim of showing Year 10/11 girls studying physics what they can achieve and that girls with very different personalities, styles and tastes can all be interested in and succeed at physics! Teachers should contact the Physics Outreach Group with their proposed date and number of pupils (maximum 30/no minimum, but for groups <15 pupils, the day may include pupils from another school with a similar sized class to maximise the benefits).

Pupils have the opportunity to engage with activities in the Department of Physics under the guidance of the current physics students. Pupils perform undergraduate level experiments in small teams with support, using the latest equipment in the new Central Teaching Laboratory Building. Enthusiastic postgraduate students give short talks on their careers to date (where they studied, their typical day, and photos) and on their research area, at a suitable level. 

A relaxed environment is encouraged from the start where pupils can compete to complete a simple physics puzzle before other pupils/schools have arrived. This allows pupils to engage with experimental work in a realistic way in which they develop their experimental skills and discover how experiments can illustrate a physical concept and assist in their understanding, all with support from trained students. Pupil feedback has indicated that this is usually the most positively received part of the day as, before then their experience of experiments at this level is usually in an assessed environment or at a basic level.

The light hearted theme is continued between the experiments and talks, with tours of the research facilities, pitched at an appropriate level, a short quiz and interactive sections on careers and liquid nitrogen. All have benefitted from the experience due to the different activities and interactions with female students from the University and girls studying physics at other schools. In order to build on the confidence gained during the day, there is a network for them to maintain contact with the other attendees as well as the female students and staff of the Physics Department who are involved.

Workshop Level: GCSE

Duration: 2 hours

These interactive sessions are run on campus on demand for up to 30 pupils and can be tailored to any age groups between Year 9–11. Other workshop, lectures or tours can be arranged to maximise the experience either directly or through Widening Participation assuming the school meets the appropriate criteria.

The purpose is to enthuse pupils about science and encourage them to consider physics at A-level. The workshop is divided into a short interactive talks and team activities based around the subject. The actual content and structure will reflect the teacher’s input with respect to the needs of their particular class. (Past events have focussed on Asteroids, Doppler Effect, Mars Rover, Energy Conservation.)

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This is an opportunity for pupils to visits the University campus, tour the Central Teaching Laboratory building and perform experiments with the latest equipment in the undergraduate teaching laboratories.