Schools Outreach Support Network
Creating a network of colleagues who have (or wish to have) strong outreach links with their local schools/colleges and are interested in sharing their experiences with colleagues working in similar roles.
The network will attract outreach and schools liaison officers from university physics departments and national research laboratories. The IOP and National HE STEM Programme seek to support the development of this network.
Join the SOSN email discussion list for details of funding opportunities, events, meetings and school outreach resources.
SOS Network 2011 inaugural meeting: widening participation in a changing landscape
The first meeting of this network took place at the Institute of Physics on the 8 September 2011. It provided an opportunity for the physics community to explore a number of current schools outreach programmes and to contribute ideas on how the Institute could support this work. It is hoped this will be the first of many meetings and a means to foster improving relationships between universities and schools.
Resources and presentations from the meeting:
- Programme Details (PDF, 49 KB)
- Workshop Details (PDF,39 KB)
- IOP: List of Schools Outreach & Resources Support (PDF, 37 KB)
- IOP: Opening presentation (Prof Peter Main) (PDF, 410 KB)
- IOP: Organising effective career events/activities (PDF, 539 KB)
- IOP: Career Graphs (PPT, 53 KB)
- I'm a scientist - presentation (PDF, 338 KB)
- RCUK's Researchers in Residence - presentation (PDF, 34 KB)
- RCUK's Public Engagement with Research catalysts - further information (PDF, 250 KB)
- Managing university-based work experience - presentation (PDF, 385 KB)
- Managing university-based work experience - notes (PDF, 239 KB)
Physics Outreach Spring Meeting 2012
The second meeting of the network was held on 8 May 2012 at the Institute of Physics. The programme started with a session inviting comments on the topic of quality control within outreach activities – an area that outreach officers had highlighted as in need of further investigation and support. There were also opportunities for outreach officers to share ideas and input into how the Institute could support the links between physics departments and schools.
Resources and presentations from the meeting:
- SOS Network Spring 2012 programme
- SOS Network - Charles Tracy introduction
- Spaceport REF pilot
- University Links at Lampton School
- Working with Teachers
- HE STEM Programme
- Quality Control of Speakers
- School Outreach at RAL
Physics Outreach Autumn Meeting 2012
The third meeting of the network was held on 22 November 2012 at the Institute of Physics. The programme featured a keynote lecture from Professor Louise Archer on the ASPIRES project and a briefing from Clare Thomson - the editor of “It's Different for Girls: The influence of schools” report.
Attendees also received an update on how the outreach officers’ database project was progressing and it was an opportunity for the IOP to gather opinions on the professional development needs of school outreach officers and how the Institute could offer support in this area.
Resources and presentations from the meeting:
- SOS Network Autumn 2012 programme (PDF, 43 KB)
- I Like Science presentation (Prof Louise Archer) (PDF, 2 MB)
- Widening Access presentation (Dr Lee Elliot Major) (PDF, 134 KB)
- It's Different for Girls report (Clare Thomson)
- Ethnic Diversity Project presentation (Dr Taj Bhutta) (PDF, 499 KB)
- Widening Participation in Physics Outreach presentation (Jenni Dyer, Andrew Rawson, Tony Hudson) (PDF, 123 KB)
- Professionalisation of the Outreach Officer Role workshop (Caitlin Watson) (PDF, 90 KB)
