Mathematics and physics outreach

We run a storytelling session for pre-school and early years children throughout the academic year.

Science storytime and play: Molly and the Moon

Recommended for ages three to five.

Join our storyteller for a tale about a little girl called Molly who wants to learn more about the friendly Moon in the night-time sky. Suitable for little ones who are prepared to sing, play and have fun together as we learn all about our nearest neighbour in space. We will explore why the Moon changes shape throughout the month and use play-doh to imagine what we might find if we travelled to the Moon.

We run various activities for primary school students throughout the academic year.

A number of simple experiments (PDF) that can be done with your primary school students.

Tim Peake

First British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station. During his mission he performed a space walk, ran the London marathon and helped conduct more than 250 micro gravity science experiments. Here about his mission and how to travel in to space. 

The students will have the chance to design their own space station, make some interesting new discoveries in astronomy, a chance to ask as many space based questions as they can think of, plus space based quizzes and games, or even rocket building!

Particle physics workshop

A half day workshop for up to thirty students is available on request at your school. The workshop includes the following:

• Interactive talks and demonstrations on the research that is carried out at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, CERN
• The atomic and subatomic structure of matter and the families of particles in the standard model is a fun and hands on way that they can understand.
• Students get the chance to design and make a model of a subatomic particle using simple materials e.g. plastic balls, plasticine and decorations and write a story about how these particles interact.

Our solar system and beyond workshop

This is a half day workshop that covers a journey through the solar system.

The students will have the chance to design their own solar system using play do mounted on large boards, make some interesting new discoveries in astronomy, a chance to ask as many space based questions as they can think of, plus space based quizzes and games, or even rocket building.

We run activities for students in year seven through to year nine.

Make your own periscope (PDF).

Connect physics

Connect physics is a set of three workshops for key stage three science students which answer the following questions:

• What is physics?
• Why do physics?
• How do we do physics?

These workshops are suitable for students of all science abilities. They encourage students to think of the bigger picture through connecting different ideas, such as topics from key stage 3 science, the latest physics research or their everyday lives.

They are able to find out about careers that are available after studying physics and they are given a chance to develop their skills using the scientific method and the peer-review process by tackling an open-ended problem with no given solution.

Shattering stereotypes

Shattering stereotypes is a set of three workshops for year eight students which aim to raise awareness of what gender stereotypes are, in particular gender stereotypes in:

• The context of a student’s everyday life
• A student’s possible career path.

This project also aims to empower students so they can identify and challenge situations where they are presented with these stereotypes.

The workshops are suitable for students of all abilities and genders. The workshops can be delivered through key stage three science lessons, or through PSHE lessons.

The workshops are delivered by a SEPnet Outreach Officer together with the support of our undergraduate ambassadors. Ideally, we would also have support from your year 12 students instead, or alongside our ambassadors so they can develop transferable skills such as facilitation and leadership which will help them in their upcoming UCAS applications.

We run activities for students in year ten and eleven.

Make your own CD-spectroscope (PDF) from our 'investigating spectra' GCSE workshop.

GCSE workshops

In association with the South East Physics network (SEPnet), we run a series of GCSE workshops where we bring an exciting variety of equipment to your school to use in demos and hands-on activities.

Each workshop fits into an hour-long lesson slot. Workshops are held at your school and can be booked any time.

Investigating spectra

Students will learn about the difference between absorption and emission spectra and how these can be used to identify different elements. They will then identify elements in different lamps using the spectra. They will also get the chance to build a simple spectroscope.

A walk through the electromagnetic spectrum

In this session, students will look at the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum and what their uses are in medicine, communications and more. 

Medical physics

Students will investigate different methods of medical imaging, including X-ray, PET and ultrasound, through various hands-on experiments. The workshop also covers other diagnostic and treatment techniques such as radiotherapy.

We run activities for students thinking about going to university and to help develop interest in research.

Astronomy Research in Schools Project

The Astronomy Research in Schools Project is a Physics Research in School Environments (PRiSE) programme which offers school students the opportunity to experience authentic scientific research over a sustained period of time within their school.

Students and teachers taking advantage of the programme are supported by active researchers who specialise in the field of the research projects we offer.

We are running this programme in collaboration with Queen Mary University, it is run over the first two terms of the academic year and sign up for the following year occurs before the summer break.

Nuclear physics masterclass

Our masterclass aims to give students an insight into nuclear physics through a variety of activities during this one-day event.

The day will include practical experiments in our radiation teaching labs, talks and workshops from our researchers and a lecture on a nuclear physics topic. 

This event is aimed at year twelve students and each school can bring up to five students.

School lab visits

There is an opportunity to use our undergraduate teaching labs on Wednesday afternoons during the academic year. Students can complete first-year undergraduate-level experiments with the assistance of their teacher and a student demonstrator.

This is a flexible event and can be tailored to suit your requirements, with a range of practical experiments available for students to complete.