Institute of Physics focus on education

Abstract

As part of its continuing support programme for physics in UK schools and colleges, The Institute of Physics is setting up two working parties to collect the views of teachers and lecturers in two important areas of current interest. The first working party has been established to develop a position paper on physics in the National Curriculum for the year 2000 and beyond. Although small in number, the group will represent all major interests and will in turn be supported by a wider network of teachers and others willing to comment on working papers. At the same time, a Physics/Maths working party under the joint leadership of Professors Margaret Brown and Paul Black will be hoping to reach accord on physics/maths issues. Anyone willing to contribute their thoughts on either or both of these aspects of physics teaching should contact Catherine Wilson in the Institute's Education Department (76 Portland Place, London W1N 4AA, tel: 0171 470 4800, fax: 0171 470 4848) in the first instance. In the meantime plans are being laid for events in the next educational year. The Institute's Education Group will be holding its annual 16-19 Discussion Day on Saturday, 9 November; the theme will be 'Quality in physics education' and the venue the newly opened Headquarters conference centre at Portland Place. The three-day Physics in Perspective course for sixth-formers and college students is scheduled for 26 - 28 January 1997 at King's College London and the Royal Institution. More details will be available in the early autumn. Finally the Schools and Colleges Lecture series 1996/7 is to be undertaken by Dr Malcolm Cornwall (Deputy Editor of Physics Education). His provisional title was 'Living with lasers' and a dynamic and enlightening lecture-demonstration is promised for all who attend. The detailed programme of dates and itinerary will be circulated to Institute Branch secretaries in the autumn.