Welsh Physics Teachers Conference Brecon -

16th Annual Welsh PhysicsTeachers Conference - A free day of presentations and workshops for teachers and technicians

A wonderful opportunity for teachers and technicians to take part in a wide variety of physics CPD activities.This free day of workshops is open to all teachers, technicians, newly qualified and trainee teachers.

Talks include:

Dr Jess Wade Imperial College London : From Plastic Fantastic: Making my Way with Molecules

All across the UK, the world of electronics is changing. Plastic electronics relies on next-generation semiconductor materials: flexible solar panels and LED’s from organic inks, printed with equipment that you have at home. Using state-of-the-art carbon based polymers we can create high performance, ultra-thin, low-cost electronics. Jess will talk about opportunities for school students and physics teachers to get involved with real-life research and career opportunities in the field. Jess is a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Physics and Centre for Plastic Electronics at Imperial College London. Jess won the Institute of Physics (IOP) Early Career Communicator Prize (2015), “I’m a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here!” (2015) and the IOP Jocelyn Bell Burnell Award (2016). Jess recently won the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) Robert Perrin Medal (2017) and the Imperial College Julia Higgins Prize (2017).

Professor Brian Foster, Oxford University and Jack Liebeck (professional violinist) -Einstein’s Universe

"Einstein's Universe links Einstein's favourite instrument, the violin, with atoms and subatomic particles, whose study he pioneered. Brian & Jack explain Einstein’s obsession with the violin and how his ideas have shaped our understanding of the evolution of the Universe. They explore our modern understanding of subatomic physics as carried out at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland. The lecture is punctuated by musical interludes from some of Einstein's favourite music."

Choice of 8 workshops including WJEC, Isacc Physics, The Virtual Physics Laboratory,Maths for Physics GCSE, Physics and Music: the creative curriculum and Physics in a Box.

Choose your workshops when registering.

Workshop choices

Workshop A1 Helen Francis Domain Leader Maths and Science WJEC

WJEC update

This workshop will provide teachers with an update on the key issues linked to both the new GCSE Science and GCE Physics qualifications, alongside demonstrating the new resources that are available.

Workshop A2 David Grace Physics Network Coordinator Institute of Physics

Make and take: Plank’s Constant

Get to know Plank - this hands on workshop will guide participants through the construction of an LED based circuit that can be used to measure Planck’s Constant. It will involve soldering.

Workshop A3 John Nunn National Physics Labroatory

The Virtual Physics Laboratory

Do you find yourself wanting to demonstrate a principle but you simply don't have the time to set the equipment up or just don’t have the equipment? Do you need some additional investigations for some of your brighter pupils to do while the rest of the class continues their set work? The Virtual Physical Laboratory has approximately 220 interactive experiments which have been used successfully in the classroom by teachers as well as by pupils individually. The programs have been written to support the specifications of both the Physics GCSE, AS and A2.

Workshop A4 Dr Lawrence Cattermole Teaching and Learning Coach Institute of Physics

Maths for Physics GCSE

This session will start with the idea that many students find some of the quantitative/mathematical skills needed for success in the KS4 physics curriculum difficult. Strategies will be highlighted for key areas of difficulty to make it more understandable and provide access for as many students as possible.

Workshop B1/C1 Chris North

Ogden Science Lecturer, STFC Public Engagement Fellow, Undergraduate Admissions Tutor

School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University

Gravitational Waves

A collection of paper-based and hands-on activities that related A-level physics to the science and technology behind the detection of gravitational waves.

Workshop B2/C2 Helen Steer

Do it Kits - Physics and Music: the creative curriculum

Explore the Physics of Music and how it relates to secondary education. You'll get hands on by making and playing instruments, before diving into waveforms, oscilloscopes & cymatics. You'll take away practical, engaging ideas for your classroom.

Workshop B3/C3 -Alessio Bernardelli Physics Network Coordinator & Teaching and Learning Coach IOP

Space Science on Earth - Physics in a box

A ‘Make-and-Take’ activity. Find out how students can follow the example of Tim Peake’s physics demonstrations, during his time on the International Space Station

Workshop B4/C4 - Helen Pollard Physics Network Coordinator & Teaching and Learning Coach Institute of Physics

Electricity Explained

In this workshop you will have an opportunity to demonstrate and compare three different ways of modelling current electricity in the classroom or lab. We’ll consider common misconceptions and ways of modifying ideas, before designing a mechanism for collecting evidence to show progress for students aged 11-16.

Workshop B5/C5 - Matthew Allen Educational Resource Developer and Science Communicator

Space Made Simple & Faulkes Telescope Project

Exploring the Universe in Virtual and Augmented Reality

In this workshop I will demonstrate how virtual and augmented reality, two exciting new areas of technology, can be used to enthuse and educate students about astronomy. I will demonstrate a VR tour of the ISS and our augmented reality solar system

Workshop B6/C6 - Alison Alexander and Ruth Wiltshire Teacher Network Coordinators Institute of Physics

Astronomy using all the senses

A workshop which looks at different ways of exploring the universe, including tactile and creative approaches. Suitable for KS3 and KS4.

Workshop B7/C7 Ally Davies Issac Physics / Physics Network Coordinator Institute of Physics

Using isaacphysics.org in your A-Level teaching

Isaac Physics aims to improve the problem solving skills of physics A-level students. We offer free online resources including a physics skills practice and problem-solving questions. In this session you'll practise using the teacher tools, and see how Isaac can help you reduce your marking workload. Suitable for teachers of A level and GCSE physics.

Workshop B8 John Nunn National Physics Laboratory

The Advanced Virtual Physics Laboratory

DIY demonstrations using the Virtual Physics Laboratory for the advanced user. From basic measurements to mass spectrometers, from simple graphs to quantum physics the Virtual Physical Laboratory has approximately 220 interactive experiments which have been used successfully in the classroom by teachers as well as by pupils individually.

Workshop C8 Dr Lawrence Cattermole Teaching and Learning Coach Institute of Physics

Energy for Physics GCSE

This session will use simple explanations, demonstrations and activities to make ideas around energy meaningful. The relationships between the conservation and dissipation of energy, work done, efficiency and power, as well as ways of generating electricity, will all be covered.