The GCSE Physics Outreach Programme

SEPNET is hosting a series of afternoon events in support of GCSE science (physics and chemistry) students. There will be three events a year and each event will be repeated at multiple locations. The goal is to increase awareness of career opportunities in science and engineering and to support learning at GCSE level in partnership with employers, universities and government agencies.

Each event will focus on a different aspect of the GCSE science specification and are being offered as review, revision and extension sessions. The event should be attended after the relevant part of the specification has been covered in class. The material will be presented in a clear and exciting way to both enthuse the students and improve their understanding. The focus will be on correcting common misconceptions and promoting a strong basic understanding of the subject. There will be a feedback system to encourage students to participate and to measure understanding.

Event 1: Energy and the current issues in energy production

This activity will comprise a dynamic lecture, an exhibition of hands-on demonstrations and an electronic feedback session all addressing issues of energy generation, transformation, transfer and storage. The exhibition relates strongly to energy issues in the news.

Event 2: Radiation, radioactivity and its uses

This event is centred around radiation and medical imaging. Students will have talks on the electromagnetic spectrum and its uses in medicine before forming groups and participating in five different activites about the properties of radiation and its uses in medicine.

Event 3: Careers and exams advice

This event is focussed on good revision and examination technique. There will be an examiner on hand to answer questions and give advice and a careers fair to allow students to view the wide range of careers options available to physics students. There will also be an electronics workshop.

Continuing Professional Development

Each of these events will be accompanied by a twilight CPD session, aimed particularly at teachers for whom physics is not their first subject. There will be a chance to see the activities the students have done and a workshop with activities that can be done in the classroom.

For more information please contact:
Clare Harvey, Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH
Tel: 07702 363731
Email: clare.harvey@sepnet.ac.uk

Click here to download more information about the programme

To express interest in these events and sign up to our mailing list please complete this form and send it to gcse@sepnet.ac.uk