What is Communicating Physics?

Communicating Physics is an optional Undergraduate module for second year students. Communicating Physics will count towards a student's overall degree classification.

Communicating Physics students will develop a range of communication and teaching skills and will learn how to develop projects and teaching methods suitable for pupils at school from Year 7 to Year 13.

Students taking Communicating Physics need to complete 24 hours in a school, this usually converts into a ½ day each week for approximately 8 – 10 weeks during the Spring Term. Communicating Physics students support physics teaching whilst gaining first-hand experience in the education of young physicists in a school environment. A current list of schools taking part in Communicating Physics can be found in the 'Partner Schools' link to the right.

Some schools will require students to wear smart office dress (e.g. a suit/blazer/tie) and you should ensure you have this available before commencing the module.

What does the course entail?

The student’s role in the classroom normally begins with initial observation after which Communicating Physics student should expect to become more involved. The role of a Communicating Physics student during their placement can vary depending on the student and the school they are placed in. A student can be expected to work with small groups of pupils on specific topics or activities, set up practical experiments, and even plan parts of a whole lesson and deliver this to the pupils. Every Communicating Physics student will be required to implement a teaching project targeted at a specific physics concept or activity for which there is a perceived need in the school. The project idea should be discussed with and agreed upon by the host teacher at the school.

When does the course take place?

Communicating Physics students will need to complete a DBS check over the summer if successfully accepted onto the course (see the above ‘how to apply’ box for the application details). At the very latest this needs to be completed at the start of term one before any school visits are made. Communicating Physics students will then attend a training day on the first day of term 1 and make an initial visit to their host school before the end of term 1. The majority of school visits will take place during term 2. All Communicating Physics students will meet with the Course Coordinators three times in Term 2 to review progress, twice during tutorials and once during a school visit. Students will also be asked to complete a progress questionnaire mid-way into their placement to update Course Coordinators on their progress.

INTERVIEW DATES FOR THE 2024/25 COHORT

The application deadline to take the Communicating Physics module in the 2024/25 academic year is has now passed.

Interviews for the 2024/25 cohort have taken place and all places on the module filled.

Course Cap

The number of students we can accept to the course is limited by the number of host schools we work with. This year we are limited to taking 20 students.