Events
Events for Students
Schools and Colleges Lecture Series
The Institute of Physics Schools and Colleges' Lecture Series tours the country offering an hour-long talk for secondary school students.
Physics in Perspective
Physics in Perspective is a three-day course for sixth-formers and college students, run each January/February in London, with the purpose of bringing to participants some of the excitement, relevance and fun of physics. It consists of a series of six lectures, or lecture-demonstrations, by eminent speakers and is held at one of the London University colleges and the Royal Institution. Free time is scheduled in to allow participants an opportunity to explore other aspects of London.
SciCast Physics
SciCast Physics is a film making competition that challenges students of all ages to make a short film that explains a principle of physics in an entertaining way to non-scientists.
Lab in a Lorry
The Institute and the Schlumberger Foundation have partnered to launch Lab in a Lorry - a fleet of three 44 ft mobile science laboratories. Each customised lorry is a self-contained experience – it rolls up and is ready to go. Visitors discover experimental science first-hand, while a volunteer staff of practising scientists and engineers provide guidance. Touring begins in April 2005, with the lorries visiting festivals, shopping centres, schools, and other venues – anywhere that our primary audience of 11-14 year olds and their influencers can be found. Contact www.labinalorry.org.uk or labinalorry@iop.org for more information.
Visit CERN
For information on organising school trips to CERN take a look at PPARC's Guide to visiting CERN. It provides detailed and up to date information on how to book as well as travel and accommodation advice.
Particle Physics Masterclass
The National Particle Physics Masterclass is a popular series of one day events for sixth form students and their teachers, run by practicing particle physics researchers at various institutes all over the country and co-ordinated through the Institute of Physics.
Go4SET
Go4SET – a new Engineering Development Trust initiative links teams of six Year 9 (England)/Year 2 (Scotland) pupils with companies and universities to offer an 8 week Science, Engineering and Technology experience. By providing a real and live SET project, Go4SET will raise the pupils’ awareness and highlight the exciting future career opportunities in SET. More information is available at www.go4set.org.uk
Engineering Education Scheme (England)
The Engineering Education Scheme (England) links teams of four Year 12 students and their teacher with local companies to work on real scientific, engineering and technological problems with exciting outcomes. All key life skills are developed within the context of the world of work. Personal development education realised through work related learning is at the core of this high quality educational enrichment scheme. More information is available at www.thescheme.org.uk
Headstart
Headstart is a well-established education programme held in the summer at 30 universities providing Year 12/S5 students interested in mathematics or science with informed choices regarding technology-based degree courses and careers. Headstart invites students to sample university courses and experiences at the time they are faced with making these crucial university decisions. In addition to a wide range of broad-based Engineering courses, Headstart also run a range of specialist courses. Through this hands-on experience Headstart aims to enlighten and inspire student’s future degree choices. More information is available at www.headstartcourses.org.uk
NPL Water Rocket Challenge
The Water Rocket Challenge is an annual event hosted by the National Physical Laboratory. The aim is to launch a rocket and see how long it can be kept in the air. Prizes awarded for each category of which there are two: 9-13 years and 14-19 years. More information is available at www.npl.co.uk/waterrockets/index.php
The Year in Industry
The Year in Industry provides paid, degree-relevant work placements for students in the year out before or during their degree course. The scheme offers a unique type of year out. The Year in Industry placements provide paid, structured and fully supported work experience from which students gain career and personal development, confirm their career choice and prepare for their degree. Students get the experience that recruiters and universities are looking for and improve their degree and employment prospects, and companies get access to highly motivated and talented individuals whilst benefiting from a highly cost effective resource. More information is available at www.yini.org.uk
Physics at Work Exhibitions
Physics at Work Exhibitions aim to show 14/15 year-olds how the physics taught in schools is used in industry research and other work environments. The three day events, which may be organised in a school, university or other centre, cater for all schools in the locality. Ideally they provide each school not only with a half-day visit during which groups of pupils listen to short presentations and engage with the interactive exhibits, but also the stimulus for follow-up work. The original idea has been extended with changes in the school system, to include Science at Work and Primary Science at Work exhibitions. Some of the exhibitions have been run in conjunction with other professional institutions and some with SATROs (Science and Technology Regional Organisations).
IYPT - International Young Physicists Tournament
The International Young Physicists Tournament is an annual competition that is now in its twentieth year. It attracts teams of sixth form students from nearly thirty countries, and is taking place in Austria in July 2010.
Nuffield Science Bursaries
Nuffield Science Bursaries offer up to 1000 funded places a year, so that students across the UK can get an insight into the world of scientific research and development. These bursaries are available to first year post-16 science students in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
The scheme helps students to take part in science, engineering and technology based projects, lasting 4-6 weeks, in universities, industry or research institutions during the summer holidays. On their bursary placement, students get the chance to work alongside practicing scientists. Unlike work experience schemes, students carry out projects which are well defined from the start and have an outcome that is achievable within the time available and which will make a contribution to the work of the host organisation.
Anyone studying an Advanced or Higher science course may apply. This includes vocational as well as academic courses. To find out more about the scheme you should visit the Nuffield Science Bursaries website: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/ or contact Jo Oladejo on 0207 636 4612.
Local Branch Events
The Institute's Branches also provide a variety of lectures and activities for schools and colleges.
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