Hillcrest Science Club - Thurs 16th Dec 10

Hillcrerst School run a very popular science club after school every Wednesday. The club is attended by students from all years even Year 12! This week half of the group came over to have fun at the Physics Factory! Philip Jones

AQA AS ISA Day - Sheldon Heath - 16th December 2010

Teacher comments:

"An excellent day - a huge confidence boost for my students and for me"

"Excellent day - the genius is in its simplicity. Neil helped to explain how to achieve 'top' marks so everybody could understand (teachers and students)

Student comments:

"made me feel a lot more confident about doing ISAs"

"The terminology was well-explained and enabled me to use it correctly in the exam"

"I can now answer 'wordy' questions"

"This has been fantastic and made me feel much more confident when tackling the written section"

Physics Factory Blog named among top 50 Physics Blogs in the world!

Laboratory Technician

Top Physics Blogs

Laboratory Technician.org name the Physics Factory's site among their 'top 50 Physics blogs'

"This blog, authored by Philip Jones, the Physics Factory director of learning, is aimed at stemming the decline of physics education in U.K. schools and universities and is focused on increasing Britain’s competitiveness in the global arena.  The Physics Factory project provides continuing education for teachers"

Robert Nigel Price (1953-2010)

Rob was the inspiration, body and soul behind the Birmingham Physics Factories that were set up last year.

He has left behind a great legacy of inspirational and engaging Physics teaching.

We will all miss you Rob.

Birmingham Science Team

Saltley School P2 IAA Training - Friday 10th December 2010

"The course provided good ideas for tackling IAA's" - Teacher

"We'll use the resources to help improve pupil attainment" - Teacher

"The presentation was two-way. Neil shared the ideas but then we discussed them - this was good" - Teacher

Holy Trinity AQA P2 Lesson Wed 8th Dec 2010

I would like to have more lessons at the Physics Factory because they are both informative and enjoyable! Student

Seeing the students doing the practicals has now given me the confidence to do them myself. Zelliah Jones, Head of Science

James Brindley OCR P3 Lesson Tue 7th Dec 2010

I enjoyed the stopping distance activity, I didn't realise the distances you travel when you see, react and brake were so large! Student

Kingsbury School - AQA P2 revision sessions - 26th November and 3rd December

Year 11 students from Kingsbury school visited the Sheldon Heath Physics Factory for two revision sessions before January's P2 exam.

Students:
"I enjoyed solving questions that related to what we've done and getting them correct! Also, the demonstrations made things more clear and helped with understanding"

" I liked all the practical demonstrations and the in-depth discussions and explanations"

The Birmingham Physics Factory 4th Project Management Board Meeting (Wed 1st Dec 2010)

Campion School (Leamington Spa) KS3 G&T Day - 30th November 2010

I thoroughly enjoyed today and learnt a lot more in a relaxed environment. Student

Colmers School - enthuse lesson Thursday 25th November 2010

 

Physics is so much fun!



Physics Factory has made Physics more interesting for me and has helped my confidence! Ben Binding, Year 11 student, Colmers

Education white paper 24th November 2010 - the Physics Factory is mentioned in section 4.26

http://publications.education.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/CM-7980.pdf

Page 45

4.26 This deficit will be tackled by providing support to increase the number of
specialist teachers in physics, chemistry and mathematics and to improve the
skills of existing teachers. We need more specialist mathematics teachers in
primary schools and will encourage and support schools in developing this
specialism. We will support schools which offer students the chance to study GCSE
physics, chemistry and biology as separate subjects by exploring how
performance tables can reward this raising of aspirations. The teaching of A level
further mathematics will be supported by funding initiatives such as the further
mathematics support programme. We will also look at ways of supporting the
in-depth study of physics. Already other organisations, for example the Physics
Factory, are enabling more state school students to enjoy high-quality physics
teaching. And we will initiate two new competitions with prizes for the best
engineering projects from male and female students in state schools.

Oaks Collegiate EDEXCEL Series 5 P2 IAA Training - Evaluation Form Summary

Course evaluations over the three days showed:
Teachers
9 teachers
100% of teachers thought the training was very good
Students
88 students
99% of students said they thought the lesson was either 'good or very good' with 65% saying it was 'very good'

Many thanks to Chris Durkin and Jenny Davies from Hillcrest School for helping to plan and deliver the training! What a team!

Best wishes
Philip Jones

Oaks Collegiate EDEXCEL Series 5 P2 IAA Training - Day 3 (Tue 23rd Nov 2011)

The day was amazing. I learnt so much and I had loads of fun! Student

Dads and Sons Physics Fun - Saturday 20th November - Sheldon Heath Physics Factory

Sheldon Heath Physics Factory hosted Dads and Sons Physics Fun this morning. 24 Dads and Sons came along for a morning of flight-related fun. After an introduction to the Forces of Flight, Dads and Sons competed to create the best paper planes then built and experimented with gliders before the grand finale in the school hall.

Exploring Forces and Motion

The Physics of Flight explained

Engineers at work

Test flights!

Our paper plane design winners!

Oaks Collegiate EDEXCEL Series 5 P2 IAA Training - Day 2 (Wed 17th Nov 2011)

The day has really helped me improve my IAA grade. It has been a real confidence boost! Student


A big thank you  for a wonderful day at the Physics Factory. I enjoyed it, the girls enjoyed it, it was a wonderful learning experience! Jane Hesson, Selly Park Technology College.

Oaks Collegiate EDEXCEL Series 5 P2 IAA Training - Day 1 (Tue 16th Nov 2011)

The 'perfect' pupil answer booklet guide to what a band 4 pupil should be writing was a fantastic idea! Owen Lamb (Bartley Green teacher)

I found out a lot more information on what should go into an IAA and what mistakes I usually make. The teaching was fantastic! Student comment

Lordswood Girls farewell lesson Wed 10th Nov 2010

Lordswood Girls group,11Sc1 had their final Physics Factory today. The Yr 11 group have been attending the Physics Factory for all their GCSE Physics lessons since Yr10. They have been taught EDEXCEL P1 and P2 units.

Thanks for all your help! You've made me really like Physics! Niamh Smyth, Lordswood Girls.

Stockland Green IAA session - Sheldon Heath - Friday 5th November 2010

20 Students from Stockland Green School completed their IAA task in the Sheldon Physics Factory.

"An excellent introduction to the IAA - all the pupils understood the task and everything engaged them!" Jayne Bigwood, Stockland Green School

Saltley School - P2 Revision Sessions - Sheldon Heath Physics Factory 4th November 2010

"The Students are still buzzing about the hovercraft two weeks ago - they love it!" - Ash Khan, Saltley School

EDEXCEL P3 Day 2 (Topic 6 Medical Physics) - Wed 3rd Nov 2010

Fantastic again! Lou Twist (Yardleys School)

Revision Day - Sheldon Heath Physics Factory - Tuesday 26th October 2010

Over 100 students came through the Physics Factory on Tuesday 26th October for a focused exam-revision day. Year 9 and 10 students practised P1b past-paper questions and Year 11 did some P2 practice. Good luck to all for their forthcoming exams!

AS Physics Development Day - Sheldon Heath

Phil, Stewart and Neil spent the morning developing resources and trialling ideas for the delivery of the forthcoming AQA AS Physics INSET.

Preparing to feel the Strong Nuclear Force!

Long Range Nuclear Attraction!

Repulsion...

The first AS INSET is our ISA support day for students and teachers at the Sheldon Heath Physics Factory on Thursday December 16th. Book soon as the course is filling up!

AQA AS Physics (Spec A) training, full of practical, hands on and fun ideas, runs on the 12th (Day 1) and 19th (Day 2) of May. Contact Neil or Phil to book your places.

EDEXCEL P3 Day 1 (Topic 5 Particles in Action) - Tue 19th Oct 2010

Fantastic! The day really helped me to understand some of the concepts in P3 and increase my confidence in delivery. Lou Twist (Yardleys School)

AQA P3 Day 2 Teacher Training Wed 13th Oct 2010

Thanks very much for another superb, enjoyable day. I liked the idea about not over complicating things and trying to look at Physics through the eyes of a 15 year old - that's exactly how I hope I work. I thought the experiment, banging the tripod on a desk with string was brilliant - I've never seen it before in 29 years of teaching Physics. I hope to visit the Physics Factory again soon and will certainly be sharing ideas with my colleague and spreading the word to others. Ian Keir (Bridgnorth Endowed School, Shropshire)

The Physics Factory Roller Coaster!

Four KEFW Year 7 students have been giving up their lunchtimes this week to construct a KNEX roller coaster. The roller coaster will be used in the EDEXCEL P2 topic Roller Coasters and Relativity to help teach electrical energy, kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, circular motion and much more!

Castle Vale Electromagnetic Spectrum Masterclass - Sheldon Heath - 7th October 2010

Castle Vale School visited the Sheldon Heath Physics Factory for a masterclass on the EM Spectrum in preparation for their November modular exam.

"Everything was related to things which are relevant to the pupils - they were engaged for the whole session" - Teacher

AQA P3 Day 1 Teacher Training (Tue 5th Oct 2010)

 A really helpful day with awesome practical ideas! Anna Jackson, Lode Heath School, Solihull

The whole event was fantastic! I have understood more Physics in one day than I have in fifteen years! Stephen Hill, Broadway School

Braidwood and Bournville EDEXCEL P2 Topics 9 & 10 Revision Day

A Braidwood School student exploring Newton's laws with a Physics Factory putt-putt boat!

Castle Vale Space Masterclass - Thursday 23rd September 2010

The Physics Factory at King Edward Sheldon Heath Academy opened its doors to visitors for the first time today, with Castle Vale students enjoying a masterclass on Space in preparation for their exam in November.

Modelling the Solar System

Investigating Newton's Third Law

Exploring propulsion on a Hovercraft!

BTEC Day 3 Training - Wed 22nd Sept 2010

BTEC Unit 5 Applications of Physical Science assignments being developed by a group of enthusiastic teachers!

 

The Five Ways Physics Factory entrance and car park being used for the first time at a teacher training event.

It's a Geek's World - Aston University - 19th September 2010

The Physics Factory were at the 'Geeks World' event at the British Science Festival at Aston University on Sunday. Many thanks to the Physics Factory Ambassadors Noor Shah, Usman Ahmed, Hussein Farrah and Lucy Richardson for giving up their time to help.

Mohammed Nawaz (Deputy Head, Al-Hijrah School) - Monday 13th September 2010

Philip Jones meets Mohammed Nawaz (Deputy Head, Al-Hijrah School) to discuss the excellent GCSE grades achieved by last years Year 11 group. 

'The Physics Factory have been great in supporting and delivering the Physics GCSE at our school. Thanks to Philip our pupils have all passed with good grades in Physics.' Mohammed Nawaz  

Meet the Parents - Waverley (Monday 13th September 2010)

Philip Jones meets parents and students at Waverley School. The Physics Factory will be teaching a group of Yr11's EDEXCEL P2 and P3 at the Physics Factory.

EDEXCEL P2 Radiation & Static Electricity Day 2 (Fri 10th Sept 2010)

Braidwood students bring gifts along to the Physics Factory! 

EDEXCEL P2 Radiation & Static Electricity Day 1 (Wed 8th Sept 2010)

Physics Factory Ambassadors

From left to right, Noor Shah, Usman Ahmed, Hussein Farrah, Albert Einstein, Lucy Richardson, Caroline Ferriday and Julide Ozeren.

Al-Hijrah (Girls) GCSE Results - Tuesday 24th August 2010

A Few Headlines

17 students

Percentage of students achieving A*-C = 100%

Percentage of students achieving A*/A = 35%

Note: Note: This is the first Year 11 group at Al-Hijrah School to be entered for triple science. The school would not have been able to offer Physics without the direct support of the Physics Factory.

Al-Hijrah (Boys) GCSE Results - Tuesday 24th August 2010

A Few Headlines

12 students

Percentage of students achieving A*-C = 100%

Percentage of students achieving A*/A = 25%

Note: This is the first Year 11 group at Al-Hijrah School to be entered for triple science. The school would not have been able to offer Physics without the direct support of the Physics Factory.

New Teacher/Student Displays at Five Ways

The stairway leading to the Physics Factory classroom has recently had some large photographs displayed of teachers and students having fun at the Physics Factory!

Baverstock GCSE Results - Tuesday 24th August 2010

"I am delighted with our Science results and the improvement in Physics. Many of our most able Scientists have benefited by attending the Physics Factory. The sessions have made a real difference enabling them to achieve the highest grades. Students have told me they have also enjoyed the lessons too! I am sure we will use the Physics Factory again next year." David Green, Headteacher Baverstock School.

"I'm so pleased with my grade B in Physics. The Physics Factory has been brilliant for me. I was taught AQA P2 and P3 units at the Physics Factory and achieved a grade A in both of these units." Sarah Johnson, Baverstock School.

Waverley GCSE results - Tuesday 24th August 2010

Congratulations to (from left to right) Noor Shah (A), Usman Ahmed (A*), and Hussein Farah (A) who all achieved the grades required to join King Edward VI Five Ways Sixth Form in September 2010.

I'm so pleased with our students triple science Physics grades. This is the first time our school has been able to offer seperate science Physics and would not have been possible without the students being taught by Phil at the Physics Factory.' Asiyat Ravat, Deputy Headteacher Waverley School.

I'm over the Moon about achieving a grade A in Physics! I was only predicted to achieve a grade B. I've really enjoyed the lessons at the Physics Factory and have chosen to study Physics at A Level at Cadbury College. If it hadn't of been for the Physics Factory I would definately not have chosen to study Physics at A Level. Naseem Kaid (right).
I have just found out that I have achieved a grade B in Physics, I am so pleased as I was only predicted a grade C. My A level choices do not include Physics but I am now seriously reconsidering my options and may now choose Physics. Balal Nazeer (left).

Second Physics Factory taking shape

The new Physics Factory at King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy is almost finished and will be ready to open at the start of the new academic year in September. To check availability for bookings click on the Sheldon Calendar link.

Much-needed storage and prep space

The lab - almost finished!

Dedicated entrance with parking for visitors