Physics

Science

Secondary

We meet a teacher with an infectious passion for physics

In our 1000th programme, we meet Andy Smith of Woodchurch High School in the Wirral, whose infectious passion for physics inspires all he teaches. Andy's passion for physics is infectious; his teaching style relies on a host of interactive strategies, practical demonstrations, quizzes, videos, games and role play. He teaches students with a wide range of abilities, from the gifted and talented to those with physical, emotional or mental difficulties. Yet all pupils consistently perform above expectation. Last year more than 70 per cent of Andy's GCSE pupils attained A* or A grades. More than half went on to study physics at A-level. As one colleague commented, "Lessons with Andy are a fascinating adventure for pupils, and the quality of his teaching, his enthusiasm, energy and dedication is outstanding. "He does a fantastic job of motivating all his pupils with the wonder of science." It comes as no surprise then that Andy was named North-West Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2005. See the resources and support materials page for Andy's top teaching tips, instructions and ideas for practical physics experiments and links related to the programme.Please note, Teachers TV cannot confirm that the practical demonstrations shown in this video meet current Health & Safety guidelines.

A Passion for Physics

The idea of sustainable buildings are explored in California

This programme focuses on the different ways of making sustainable buildings for the future in California. The greening of Google and the opening of the California Academy of Sciences also show us how buildings may evolve in the future. Google has managed to generate 30 per cent of their energy needs through extensive solar panelling installed on their Silicon Valley campus. Meanwhile, the California Academy of Sciences new building, features a plethora of green credentials and is a revolutionary model of how public buildings can be made sustainable. The building, which is set to open in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park in September 2008, includes a living roof planted with native grasses and flowers, extensive solar panelling and energy saving technologies.

Buildings

Investigating building your own powerstation for KS4 science

An accessible and informative overview of the basic science and economics behind building a new nuclear power plant for KS4 science. This video will poses the mock challenge students; If you're worried about solving the world's energy needs, why not get your mates together and build your very own nuclear power plant? A visit to Finland reveals some of Europe's top experts giving their tips on how to go about building it.While there will be an explanation of the science of nuclear fission, the main focus will be how they might manage to pay for it. There are interviews with those who are both for and against nuclear power and finally, one of the world's leading financial analysts at PricewaterhouseCoopers, designers of the financing package for the newest nuclear power plant in Finland, share their insights.

DIY Nuclear Power Reactor

Film director Steve Lowe produces visual material for whiteboards

Roberto Perini, at Queens Park Community School, works with film director Steve Lowe to produce original whiteboard material for a lesson about magnetism.Steve, who is also a designer of television commercials and music videos, uses desktop-based computer technology to create a fast and flexible way of producing a wide variety of visual material that is low cost and can be easily updated.A variety of graphic and filming techniques are used, including animation, 3D computer graphics and the use of pre-recorded teaching sequences.

DIY Whiteboard - Magnetism

STEM activities are introduced in a KS3 cross-curricular approach

A Year 8 class build model gliders as part of a KS3 cross-curricular STEM project, exploring the science and engineering behind flight. The aim of the lesson at Ash Manor School in Surrey is to construct a working glider. Students start by looking at wings found in nature and produce blueprints of their gliders on paper, before constructing a working prototype. After initial testing they re-evaluate their designs and modify them based around concepts of drag, thrust, weight and design. Finally the whole class launch their models to see whose design has flown the furthest. This video shows the impact a well thought out STEM activity can have in bringing to life the future possibilities available to all pupils.

Finding Time for STEM

Professor Trevor Cox's quest for the worst sound in the world

Acoustic engineer Professor Trevor Cox has developed a far-reaching internet experiment to discover the worst sound in the world. To make his experiment fair, he developed an easily accessible website and randomised the order in which the sounds were played to counteract "sound fatigue" - which makes the early noises sound worse than later ones. Trevor's experiment got him news headlines around the world, and also demonstrated a new way of conducting acoustic research over the internet. So what is the worst sound in the world? Watch the programme to find out!

How Science Works - Bad Vibes

An investigation into light gates and data loggers aimed at KS3 students

A complete lesson on investigating acceleration using light gates for KS3 pupils. Paul Preece at Camborne Science and Community College, and his class of Year 9 pupils investigate acceleration with the traditional trolley rolling experiment. Pupils use light gates to accurately capture the speed of the passing trolley at different positions on the slope and analyse their results. Paul demonstrates the equipment and explains the data his students are expected to collect. They then set off to do the experiment, which involves team work and organisation as well as ICT skills. This activity was one of several that contributed to a joint ASE/BECTA project exploring how the creative use of ICT in the classroom can support traditionally "hard to teach" science topics.

Investigating Acceleration with Year 9 Using Light Gates

Scientists show the latest techniques for monitoring volcanoes

Clive Oppenheimer, a volcanologist working on the latest techniques to monitor and predict volcanic eruptions, demonstrates his work at Mount Etna, an active volcano in Sicily. Volcanic eruptions pose a real threat to communities living nearby, and at their most violent they have wiped out whole cities. Clive is an expert in developing new techniques for monitoring volcanoes, and works with scientists around the world. It's a difficult job, because most of the activity happens deep below ground. Clive meets with his research students who monitor the volcanoes. To look at how the latest techniques are developing, he takes a trip up Etna to collect fresh lava samples, then heads to the Institute of Volcanology (INGV), about 20 km away, to analyse some of the new data.

Journey to Etna

A KS3/4 physics lesson idea demonstrating the effects of sounds

Show Key Stage 3/4 physics students the different effects of sound, as demonstrated in this classroom resource for secondary science, designed to be used on an interactive whiteboard. Using high-speed camera technology, Trevor Cox professor of acoustics at the University of Salford, conducts experiments in sound. He firstly shows what happens when rubbing the rim of a glass of water is slowed down to 80 times less than normal speed. Trevor then demonstrates the sound effects of a tuning fork, a triangle, a cymbal and a guitar, as well as the impact of sound on a soap bubble, burning candles and a wine glass. Using an oscilloscope Trevor then shows the difference in frequencies produced by different octaves played on a saxophone. The 'confusaphone' shows what happens when one's left and right hearing is mixed up, and Trevor examines the effect of a sonic boom, created by a cracking whip. He finally assesses the effect of echo and the varying sounds we can create with our own bodies.

KS3 Physics - Sound

More tips on doing great physics experiments

In this programme, David Richardson from the Institute of Physics continues with more physics experiments for the staff at St. James Catholic High School in London. Head of biology Wendy Butler has always been afraid of using the Van de Graaff Generator. David shows her how to use it dramatically and safely and we then see her demonstrate it to her Year 11 group for the first time. Was it a success? David also shows some other striking experiments, including a light bulb partially immersed in a beaker of water and placed in a microwave oven. The bulb lights up and David explains why. But is it the kind of experiment you'd show your students?

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

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