Physics Foundations Day 1 (Forces and Motion) - Tuesday 28th February 2012

The most useful aspect of the training was finding out about practicals that will help explain difficult concepts.

Ogden Trust/Physics Factory Year 11 G&T Hillcrest Lesson - Wednesday 22nd February 2012

Four schools attended the event held in Hillcrest's main hall. The event took on an Olympic theme and focused on Archery. The groups had to design rockets to consistantly hit a target placed at the other end of the assembly hall. They also had to come up with a way of aiming the rocket consistently. All the Girls that took part really seemed to engage with the task they had 1 hour to design, practice and refine there shooting skills. At the end of the event each turn took part in a shoot off against the other team. 2 minutes per team to shoot as many rockets as possible at the target and score as many points as possible. This made all the groups work hard as a team. Teams were also graded on team work and asthetics of their rocket design. Lordswood Girls came out on top as out and out winners, St Pauls, Edgbaston and Hillcrest missing out by a small margin. Every one in the winning team was presented with an Acamedese screw water fall as a prize for their enginuity. The event seemed to be well enjoyed by all that attended and I will definately repeat this activity again with other year groups with in the school. We enjoyed the experience and it also was envaluable training for my Physics NQT in developing the event.

Helen Pollard's (Ogden Trust) comments about her recent visit to the Physics Factory

Dear Philip,

Thank you very much for your warm welcome at the Physics Factory last week – it was a rare treat for me to take part.

Jenny, Neil and you have such a good blend of knowledge, enthusiasm and empathy with the teachers, which together make for very effective training. The lab looked tremendous – well organized storage and inspiring displays. With so much practical work – set up and ready for us to use- we quickly assimilated the value and idiosyncrasies of the demonstrations and class practicals you introduced. I liked the way you encouraged discussion and valued our contributions. The powerpoint notes, which exactly matched the requirements of the specification,  were very valuable. 

Thank you also for giving me the opportunity to chat to Caroline. The ambassador role is very important to her, and she was keen to let me know the kind of activities made available to her- no doubt that the experience has been of real value to her – as well as to the younger students she has influenced.

I tried some aspects of your current electricity model with Cambridgeshire GTPs last week - most notably, the circuit diagram tape on the floor.  An excellent source of discussion. It won’t be long before I have a drinks carton lift cage complete with plasticine man to replace the slotted masses in my ‘efficiency’ experiment! Many thanks for these, and other ideas.

It’s always good to see other trainers in action – we can pick up so many hints and alternative ways of presenting the physics.

EDEXCEL P2 Day 2 Training - Friday 10th February 2012

William was trying to jump around the classroom with a big heavy pack on his back (James). Delegates were learning new teaching strategies on how to teach students about the difference between mass and weight.

EDEXCEL P2 Day 1 Training - Tuesday 7th February 2012

Grace was learning how to teach Newton's 2nd law (F=ma) in an engaging way with a Helium balloon.