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IoP Physics Network. London Coordinator Peter Campbell MInstP, FInstP National Physical Laboratory 3 July 2006. Network aims. Bring together specialist teachers of physics: meetings, workshops, e-mail Support non-specialists teaching physics
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IoP Physics Network London Coordinator Peter Campbell MInstP, FInstP National Physical Laboratory 3 July 2006
Network aims • Bring together specialist teachers of physics:meetings, workshops, e-mail • Support non-specialists teaching physics at KS3 & KS4. Can you help?
Physics: a gateway • Physics all around us – a way of seeing • For what careers is a physics qualification • essential? • useful? Research shows • Decline in attitudes towards Physics starts in KS3, and pupils decide not to continue with the subject. Implication • Physics needs to be taught well through all stages from 11-19(appropriate content, teaching approaches that engage learners)
Budget speech March 2006 The Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-14: Next Steps Government ‘ambitions’: • year on year increases in the number of young people taking A levels in physics, chemistry and mathematics: 35,000 A-level physics entries by 2014 (currently 24,200) • continually improve the number of pupils getting at least level 6 at the end of Key Stage 3 (11-14 year olds) • continually improve the number of pupils achieving A*-B and A*-C grades in two science GCSEs • step up recruitment, retraining and retention of physics, chemistry and mathematics specialist teachers. by 2014: 25% of science teachers with a physics specialism 95% of school mathematics lessons taught by a mathematics specialist (currently 88%).
New KS4 Programme of Study • just 2 sides of A4 owned by Parliament • How science works • Data, evidence, theories & explanations • Practical and enquiry skills • Communication skills • Applications & implications of science • Breadth of study (physics) • Energy transfers, efficiency, effects of energy use • Electrical power • Radiation transfers energy, can be used for communication
AS/A2 Subject criteria response & outcome ~1200 people & organisations responded during the consultation period March-April 2006 Recommended outcomes: • All sciences: 6 Units of Assessment • Physics: Appropriate content AS/A2 • Include nature of science, data, interpretation • ‘AEA approach should only be considered where it does not already exist’ (synoptic Qs) • Further work to ensure that Physics specs include contemporary content Next steps: QCA publishes new subject criteria – August 2006? Science subject conferences at NSLC, October 2006 Awarding Bodies revise specs,… etc
QCA Review of KS3 – for 2008 Aims • reduce prescription & increase flexibility (move away from a "shopping list of facts) • ensure transition from key stage 2 and onto key stage 4 • advise on how to improve assessment in the foundation subjects Formal consultation period • January – May 2007
In outline … Key concepts & key processes (aka How science works) Curriculum development criteria (aka content) • energy can be transferred, usefully stored, or wasted, but cannot be created or destroyed • forces are interactions between objects and can affect their motion • electricity in circuits can produce a variety of effects • astronomy and space science provide insight into the observed motions of the Sun, Moon, stars and planets • The particle model provides explanations for the different physical properties and behaviour of matter Further supplementary material will 'unpack' these statements. More information at www.qca.org.uk/11750_16028.html
Teaching resources IoP website • Practical work: www.practicalphysics.org • Please review experiments, submit experiments • Teaching Advanced Physics Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme Register as an associate – ‘exclusive access to online materials and receive free copies of selected hard-copy resources and the SEP newsletter’www.sep.org.uk
Science on StageGrenoble 2 – 6 April 2007 Do you have new teaching ideas to share? More information about the event, and an application form: www.scienceonstage2.co.uk National Coordinator: Alison.Alexander@iop.org
London information network Newsletter: posted termly to schools & colleges Online: newsletter, London events Please contribute items: • forthcoming events in which other teachers of physics might participate. • information about an event you’ve attended. • details of useful teaching resources. • an account of a classroom activity. pcampbell@nuffieldfoundation.org