Schools
SEPnet offers a range of activities for school students in different age and ability groups, both at university campuses and in school. As each department has its own unique portfolio of activities, we've included some examples below, as well as links to other opportunities.
The University of Kent
Space School – KS3, 4 & 5
Space School is an intensive two day experience aimed at introducing 11-18 year olds to the world of space activity, from rocket propulsion and principles, to astronomical observing and life in space. It also introduces the courses and career paths that could lead them to becoming tomorrow's space pioneers. Students experience university life first hand, make new friends and meet guest speakers, academic staff and School of Physical Sciences students.
Queen Mary, University of London
Physics Academy – KS5
The Physics Summer School hosts a number of talented and gifted A-level students for a week. Completing a project in one of three disciplines, neutrino physics, special relativity, or solar physics and space weather, they then present their work to family and teachers. Working with our academics, they gain in-depth experience of physics at university, and develop their physics and maths knowledge, as well as presentation and research skills.
Royal Holloway, University of London
Talk Science – KS3
Talk Science has been developed to address the drop in interest in science that often occurs once compulsory subjects are introduced in Year 9. It works by presenting students with a variety of scientific experiments and research materials, but without instructions or explanations. Their challenge is to compile a short presentation outlining their experiment for the rest of their class – encouraging them to talk about and consider scientific methods.
The University of Southampton
The Light Express Roadshow – KS3, 4 & 5
Light Express showcases breathtaking optical engineering and the physics of light through demonstrations and hands-on experiments for school and college students. Using laser equipment rarely seen outside the research lab environment, Light Express covers several key areas of the national curriculum, particularly wave characteristics and the electromagnetic spectrum. Last year alone, Light Express shows and holography demos were enjoyed by over 2000 people.
The University of Surrey
Undergraduate Ambassador Programme – KS3, 4 & 5
Our exciting activities for schools include the new 'Physics at University' taster days, spooky science (a series of talks on the science of the supernatural) and our annual Science Circus – a circus tent full of hands-on activities, from disco bikes and custard walking, to liquid nitrogen ice cream. These are all supported by our Student Ambassador programme for our UG and PG students – an innovative programme to help university students to deliver activities and develop their science communication skills.
The University of Sussex
Schools Lab Programme – KS4 & 5
The Schools Lab provides enrichment and extension activities for students studying AS or A2-level physics at school or college, and now, with SEPnet funding, GCSE activities too. The days are designed and run by David Daniels, a Visiting Research Fellow and award-winning physics teacher, and get students involved in experiments directly related to the physics syllabus.
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