ClassroomThe newsletter for affiliated schools physicsMarch 2008 Issue 4 In this issue PEEP puts science PEEP Physics and Ethics Education Project 1 Editorial Easter is on its way 1 News Corti Trust, Protons for Breakfast, 2 under microscope printable paper ruler resource News and events BIG BANG!, 3 PEEP stands ethical issues behind weapons or imaging events for students for Physics and in medicine. I gave them some guiding Resources Virtual Physical Laboratory, 4 Ethics Education questions and the task of creating a “for and short-film series on particle physics Project. It is against” argument in relation to the question an interactive of whether or not it is right to use radiation in Resources Advanced physics website, 5 website and these fields. Researchers in Residence virtual learning I was immediately impressed by how Events for teachers 6 environment they tackled the online resource and used Teaching tips Eggciting eggsperiments for 7 for secondary- it to investigate these ideas. My students Easter school science navigated around the site, discovering Worksheet Magnetic jigsaw 8 teachers and their students. The project information that was new to them. They has been developed to highlight the moral, found it interesting and motivating. I was ethical, social, economic, environmental and often called over to be shown something technological implications and applications and was asked: “Have you seen this, Sir?”. Editorial of physics. The class demonstrated a good ability to When I started teaching physics in the understand the issues raised and used the Welcome to the context of 2st-Century Science, I was information that they found to construct fourth edition pleased to see how the pupils thought strong arguments. The students finished the of Classroom about ethical issues. With the subject of lesson having gained a fair insight into the Physics. Once radiation and reducing the associated risks, question and could communicate what they again we have an for example, the “as low as reasonably had researched with the others in the group. issue full of ideas achievable” and precautionary principles Exploring the ethical issues behind physics to support your all form part of the curriculum. Considering is not something that I as a physics teacher physics teaching an ethical question is also one of the find immediately natural. However, having and news of competitions and events coursework possibilities, with students worked with the PEEP site and witnessing for both you and your students. You may being asked to write a case-study of an area how the students enjoyed thinking through be gearing up for National Science and of science where they need to express the the different arguments, I have become Engineering Week and be busy putting different sides of an argument. convinced that it is an important and the final touches to special activities and The project was launched initially in valid part of pupils’ learning. We live in a lectures. Good luck and have fun. You 2006 and the website has been developed society where the ethics of technological may also be grappling with new GCSE and expanded since then. Looking through advances are becoming increasingly blurred. coursework requirements, hoping that the site I was impressed by the range of Addressing these issues during lessons your paperwork is all straight and that topics covered and the degree to which the is a worthwhile activity, and the PEEP site you have managed to follow your board’s ideas were developed. As I thought about provides valuable information to help requirements accurately. how fashion and society have an influence students to do this. The topics are relevant News about the launch of the Physics on whether we choose to use sunbeds or to both pre- and post-6 courses, and they and Ethics Education Project website the implications of the communication provide teachers with a varied and useful in November last year was reported in revolution, I started to see the value of resource. Detailed teacher help notes and the January issue of Physics Education. including these ideas in physics lessons. a comprehensive glossary of the relevant This web-based resource supports the I took my year-0 class to the computer ethical terminology are also available online. teaching of scientific issues arising room recently as part of their work on David Richardson in physics that have a significant radiation, giving them the opportunity to controversial or ethical component. explore and work with the PEEP site. I offered For more information: continued >> them a choice of investigating either the http://www.peep.ac.uk/. Classroom physics is published by IOP Publishing, Dirac House, Temple Back, Bristol BS 6BE, UK. © 2008 The Institute of Physics. The Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London WB NT, UK. Tel 020 7470 4800. The contents of this newsletter do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Institute of Physics, except where explicitly stated. Classroomphysics l March 2008 News Editorial (continued) Corti Trust calls for student Our front-page story reports on the benefits gained from using this material science competition entries in your teaching. I hope that you will feel The closing date (30 April) for entries to the and its potential significance in the wider encouraged to give it a try and perhaps 2008 Corti Trust Science Competition is fast world. They must demonstrate a solid even make a contribution yourself. approaching, so don’t delay. understanding of the scientific concepts Another web-based resource that If your students are starting an behind the specific breakthrough or you may not yet have come across engineering-, science- or mathematics-based discovery that they have chosen and be able is the Teaching Advanced Physics university course in the UK, they could be to communicate them clearly and concisely. (TAP) website. This is aimed at people eligible for this prestigious £2000 science Students will have to put scientific issues in starting to teach advanced physics for prize, paid in three annual instalments. the wider context of our everyday experiences the first time, but it should have useful The Corti Trust is dedicated to encouraging and have a strong appreciation of why suggestions and resources for anyone, UK A-level students to undertake science- science is important to our way of life. however experienced (p5). The Virtual based courses at university. Each year The prize embraces all scientific disciplines Physical Laboratory (VPLab) is a set of the Trust awards £2000 to a student (non-medical) and welcomes innovative, simulations covering all areas of physics starting university in the coming academic thought-provoking essays about the cutting and is the product of many hundreds year to obtain a BSc, MSc or equivalent edge of science in 2008. of hours of hard work by John Nunn, in a traditional mathematics, science or Teachers can download leaflets and entry a physicist at the National Physical engineering subject in the UK. Combined forms in the teachers’ pack from http://www. Laboratory (NPL). More information honours courses (e.g. physics with cortiscienceprize.org. Entries should be no about how you can get hold of this philosophy) are also eligible. more than 500 words. valuable resource is given on p4. To win, students must submit an essay The Researchers in Residence scheme describing a piece of recent research in their For more information: has been around for quite a few years scientific discipline, how it was achieved http://cortiscienceprize.org/. but has recently been relaunched by a team at the University of Edinburgh. NPL satisfies teachers’ make decisions about complex scientific On p5 you can find out more about this matters, such as: scheme, which allows you to have a real hunger for knowledge l The greenhouse effect and global researcher in your laboratory to assist warming. you and inspire your students. If you Protons for Breakfast is a six-week course l Will we need nuclear power in the are in the north west, you might want that is open to anyone who is interested in future? to consider taking your students to a science and its impact on our lives. l Is my mobile phone affecting my brain? performance of the musical BIG BANG! in If you are a non-specialist teacher of Liverpool in July (p3). physics and you would like to feel more For more information: The Protons for Our teaching tips have an Easter confident about teaching complex physics Breakfast course is run by the National theme this time, with some entertaining topics, this might be for you. Physical Laboratory (NPL), Hampton Road, “eggsperiments” devised by David Key features include: Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LW. Course Featonby (p7). If you are planning to do l Three sessions of demonstrations and sessions run from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. these with students, you should carry hands-on activities leading to a simple once a week. The next session starts on out your own risk assessment first. Our but sound understanding of science and 26 February and there will be an additional worksheet is a magnetic-field lines puzzle technology. The sessions will focus on: course running in late autumn. For more (p8). There are also some suggestions l the size and scale of the universe details and registration, visit http://www.npl. for using printable paper rulers – a free l the astonishing electric force co.uk/protons_for_breakfast. online resource (p2). l light For details about the resources available We have news about a popular physics l atoms through the NPL, including some excellent course run by the NPL (p2), and the l Three discussion sessions focusing on PowerPoint presentations on climate change events listings for students (p3) and current issues, including the problem of how and nuclear power, visit http://www.npl.co.uk teachers (p6) look ahead to the summer we as human beings, citizens and voters can and click on “Educate and Explore”.