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Original poster

Physics (and science) support thread

44 replies

WhenSheWasBad · 20/08/2020 22:22

I’ve done a lot of complaining on the 16th republic thread. Thanks for listening and the sympathy by the way.

I’m an NQT teaching physics (not my specialism). And it’s been suggested I start a physics support thread to make life that little bit easier.

OP posts:
Kashtan · 20/08/2020 22:27

Hi When, i am also a science teacher, Bio mainly but also teach some chem and physics.
Good idea for a thread.

Frlrlrubert · 20/08/2020 22:34

Checking in :)

I'm in my third year of teaching Science.
I'm a 'fake Chemist' - Biology Degree, Chemistry PGCE (the bursary was higher).

I've got the whole combined Physics and Chemistry curriculum (OCR) coming up this year, Biology for years 9+10. Plus a Y9 Chemistry separates groups. Oh, and 3 year 7 groups, bless them.

HedyPrism · 20/08/2020 23:03

Excellent idea. I'm a Physics NQT too, though teaching science (school doesn't timetable separately) and no Y11 class this year. GCSE Biology gives me the fear - is it OK to be quite happy about not having those practicals?

CarrieBlue · 20/08/2020 23:11

Physics here (and Bio and Chem of course!), about to start my 23rd year. AQA but I’ve tutored Edexcel and taught Applied Science in many guises at GCSE and A-level as well as KS4/5 Physics. I teach KS3 reluctantly!

Frlrlrubert · 20/08/2020 23:14

My main issue with Biology practicals is that I'm shocking at dissection - always have been, so I'm not in any way comforted by them only being demos, that's just more pressure on my appalling scalpel skills.

I'm not looking forward to Year 7s, I normally try to make it fun with lots of little practical circus activities for them to find out for themselves, not quite the same if it's just me showing them. Sad

Original poster
WhenSheWasBad · 20/08/2020 23:19

That's just more pressure on my appalling scalpel skills

Doesn’t help that the scalpels are always fairly blunt.

I’m secretly quite glad there will be fewer practicals. It’s organised chaos at the best of times, add social distancing into the mix and it’s a nightmare

OP posts:
CountDuckulasKetchup · 21/08/2020 06:17

Hi, fellow scientist here.

I'm trying to look on the bright side with the whole practical thing. A lot of the poor behaviour is around nagging kids to wear goggles and stay where they should be rather than wander around and chat.

But I also really like them and I'm worried I'll be bored without them, never mind the kids!

What are people's plans for replacing them? Our Sol has practicals in most lessons and obviously I can demo them but I think it will still free up time.

Flagsfiend · 21/08/2020 06:37

I don't even think we can even demo our practicals as we aren't teaching in science labs, so videos it will be.

CarrieBlue · 21/08/2020 07:08

I may try and set home science experiments as homework. My DS had to design his own investigation as one of his science lessons during lockdown which was interesting for him and from the school newsletter lots of kids came up with really good work.

TheLetterZ · 21/08/2020 07:30

Physics teacher and as I teach in an independent school I only teach physics. Which is bliss.

For videos of required practicals www.youtube.com/channel/UC-TM-z1-tmX1iK_H4SxVhww nicely produced, give you a set of results to work from and go through the analysis.

I am a huge fan of LegoPhysicsGuy (follow on Twitter if you can) his videos are really high quality www.youtube.com/channel/UC-TM-z1-tmX1iK_H4SxVhww lots are available free on YouTube but there are more on his website www.gcsephysicsonline.com/ we have a school subscription and used it a lot during lockdown but you can buy individual access for £9.99 for 3 years, which if you are teaching out of specialism is a huge bargain!

My final recommendation is Isaac Physics isaacphysics.org/ totally free for students and teachers, easy to set up and then there are hundreds if not thousand of questions. You can set them up self marking or print them out or use the book (only £1 each). They also run teacher CPD including a mentoring scheme for NQTs and non-specialists. isaacphysics.org/pages/teacher_mentoring

Always happy to help spread the love of the best subject!

TheLetterZ · 21/08/2020 07:33

@CarrieBlue

I may try and set home science experiments as homework. My DS had to design his own investigation as one of his science lessons during lockdown which was interesting for him and from the school newsletter lots of kids came up with really good work.
The National Physics Laboratory has a series of home experiments that they put together during lockdown.

www.npl.co.uk/measurement-at-home

Who wouldn’t want to measure the speed of sound using a toilet roll!

HedyPrism · 21/08/2020 08:55

The IoP has some good resources too. They even have a 'do try this at home' section of experiments. Not sure about setting as homework though; school is in deprived-ish area.

RigaBalsam · 21/08/2020 09:26

Hi All

Physics degree here. I have taught separate Science- Physics for the last 5 years. Teach all Science to combined.

Lovely idea for a thread. I am teaching AQQ at the moment.

hedgehogger1 · 21/08/2020 09:29

Another scientist here. Although my preference is biology. Have been doing it for a while though...

RigaBalsam · 21/08/2020 09:29

AQA even

PhysicsCat · 21/08/2020 10:10

Seems that there are a significant number of physicists on MN :-)

I’m also a head of physics, get occasional KS3/chem/bio on my timetable but am almost entirely KS4/5 physics.

I can thoroughly recommend the NPL measurement at home resources also the IoP spark site. The Marvin and milo cartoon based ‘do try this at home’ tasks are really good esp at KS3.

What topic do you start with for your y11 class? The hive mind may be able to help with ideas.

RigaBalsam · 21/08/2020 10:53

Free Science lessons by Shaun Donnelly if you need a recap before the lesson too.

He does all Science. Famous in my school for exam revision. They love him. 🤣

Kashtan · 21/08/2020 11:01

Worried about the lack of practicals. I am really keen on them, and all our sow have lots embedded in them. Will be a much less rich experience for the kids.
I do intend using more simulations, we already use PhET a bit ( i can really recommend these OP eg for light, circuits)

Frlrlrubert · 21/08/2020 11:03

What are people's plans for replacing them? Our Sol has practicals in most lessons and obviously I can demo them but I think it will still free up time.

With year 7 I'm thinking more in depth discussion of the mini practicals - even more repetition of the variables, how errors might occur in, types of data, etc. More graph work. More formal write up of the conclusions.

For GCSE I'm going to hunt down some past paper examples of questions relating to the practicals and use those. Especially the ones where it's presented slightly differently so they have to apply the knowledge. Ours pupils seem to do particularly poorly on the errors and improvements questions, so I'm planning to focus on that in any additional time.

Original poster
WhenSheWasBad · 21/08/2020 11:18

I’m so glad I started this thread. Thanks to those on the 16th republic thread who suggested it.

OP posts:
RigaBalsam · 21/08/2020 11:31

I think it will hot KS3 the most practically.

There are not that many RPs at GCSE. Sad they can't do them though. Also I can't demo the radiation sources as they would all have to get to close gathering round. One if the more interesting practicals too.

My colleagues always take the mic saying would you rather dissect a heart or hang masses off springs? 😂

TheLetterZ · 21/08/2020 11:53

Spring any day. Plus Hooke’s law is a lot more fascinating than it first appears. Ligaments are tendons are Hookean as are bridges and the heart.

Hooke’s law in its original format: ceiiinosssttuv

Plus the guy was pretty amazing himself, a proper polymath. You can find his story and lots others here drwilkinsonscience.wordpress.com/2018/07/05/sciencestories/

RigaBalsam · 21/08/2020 12:05

[quote TheLetterZ]Spring any day. Plus Hooke’s law is a lot more fascinating than it first appears. Ligaments are tendons are Hookean as are bridges and the heart.

Hooke’s law in its original format: ceiiinosssttuv

Plus the guy was pretty amazing himself, a proper polymath. You can find his story and lots others here drwilkinsonscience.wordpress.com/2018/07/05/sciencestories/[/quote]
My last class actually enjoyed this practical too. So some agrees with us Grin

RigaBalsam · 21/08/2020 12:06

[quote TheLetterZ]Spring any day. Plus Hooke’s law is a lot more fascinating than it first appears. Ligaments are tendons are Hookean as are bridges and the heart.

Hooke’s law in its original format: ceiiinosssttuv

Plus the guy was pretty amazing himself, a proper polymath. You can find his story and lots others here drwilkinsonscience.wordpress.com/2018/07/05/sciencestories/[/quote]

Interesting docu too

Cracklefraggle · 21/08/2020 16:27

Science here too Grin. Bio specialist but teach all 3 to GCSE (AQA). I lead KS3 so can help with ideas for years 7-9 too.

Stem's best evidence science teaching is good for misconceptions and deepening understanding.