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13th Annual Welsh Physics
Teachers Conference
13fed Cynhadledd Blynyddol
Athrawon Ffiseg Cymru
A free day of presentations and workshops
for teachers and technicians
Diwrnod am ddim o gyflwyniadau a
gweithdai ar gyfer athrawon a thechnegwyr
Wednesday 8 October 2014
9.15 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Christ College, Brecon
Dydd Mercher 8 Hydref 2014
9.15 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Coleg Crist, Aberhonddu
A wonderful opportunity for teachers and
technicians to take part in a wide variety
of physics CPD. This free day of workshops
is open to all teachers, technicians, newly
qualified teachers and trainee teachers.
From Airwaves to Microwaves
During the day Prof. Peter Barham will
present the Magic of Microwaves and
Dr Rhys Phillips will discuss Thunderbolts
and Lightning – are they really frightening?
There will also be an opportunity to attend
workshops exploring a diverse range of
physics topics.
Cyfle arbennig i athrawon a thechnegwyr
gymryd rhan mewn amrywiaeth eang o
Ddatblygiad Proffesiynol Parhaus ffiseg.
Mae’r diwrnod rhad ac am ddim yma yn
agored i athrawon, technegwyr, athrawon
newydd gymhwyso a myfyrwyr TAR.
O Donnau Awyr i Donnau Micro
Yn ystod y dydd bydd yr Athro Peter Barham
cyflwyno darlith ar Swyn Microdonnau
a bydd Dr Rhys Phillips yn trafod Mellt a
Tharannau – brawychus? Bydd hefyd cyfle
i fynychu gweithdai sydd yn ymwneud ag
ystod eang o destunau ffisegol.
Programme/Rhaglen
Registration, tea/coffee
Welcome
Keynote speech: Prof. Peter Barham
Choice of workshops: S1, T1, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5
Thunderbolts and Lightning: Dr Rhys Phillips
News Slot for Teachers
Lunch – Exhibition area of physics equipment with
opportunities to share ideas
Choice of workshops: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5
Choice of workshops: C1, C2, C3, C4, C5
Depart
9:15
9:30
9:40
10:40
11:40
12:30
12:50
13:50
15:00
16:15
Cofrestru, te/coffi
Croeso
Prif gyflwyniad Prof Peter Barham
Dewis o weithdai: S1, T1,A1,A2,A3,A4,A5
Dr Rhys Phillips Mellt a Tharannau
Newyddion i Athrawon
Cinio Ardal Arddangos o gyfarpar ffiseg gyda
chyfleoedd i rannu syniadau.
Dewis o weithdai: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5
Dewis o weithdai: C1,C2,C3,C4,C5
Gadael
Programme changes
Newidiadau i’r Rhaglen
The Institute reserves the right to make alterations
to the programme, date and/or venue at any time
without prior notice.
Cedwir yr hawl gan y Sefydliad Ffiseg i wneud
newidiadau i’r rhaglen, dyddiad a/neu lleoliad ar
unrhyw adeg.
Workshops/Gweithdai
The following workshops have all proved to be popular and useful. They are presented by experienced physics
teachers and workshop providers. We recommend that you register and select your preferred workshops as the
number of places available on certain workshops will be limited.
From Airwaves to Microwaves
“The Magic of Microwaves” Prof. Peter Barham
How does a microwave oven work? No I don’t mean you put the food in, set the timer
and press “start”. I mean how and why does a microwave oven heat food? These
demonstrations will show you what microwaves actually are and how they heat up water
(and some other molecules). You will discover whether a kettle or a microwave is more
efficient, learn the intricacies of “grape-racing” and understand why it is so important to let
food stand before eating it after heating in a microwave. You will also find out about many
unusual “uses” for microwaves and see for yourselves why you are told not to put metal
objects in microwave ovens.
“Thunderbolts and Lightning – are they really frightening?” Dr Rhys Phillips
Paraphrasing that famous line from Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, research engineer and
science broadcaster Rhys Phillips will look at the phenomenon of lightning. In a light-hearted
and informative talk, Rhys will explain the processes that lead to a lightning strike and the
different types of lightning that can exist. He will then move on to show what happens to
aircraft when they are hit by lightning and explain how we protect against damage from
this. Using demonstrations and videos, this talk will also give the audience a chance to see
exactly what happens in our lightning lab and answer the question that everyone is asking
– can a piggy bank survive a lightning strike? As part of the talk, Rhys will also touch on his
experiences as a science communicator and broadcaster, his outreach work with schools
and his involvement in the Institution of Engineering & Technology.
Workshop A1
Helen Francis – WJEC update
This workshop will provide teachers with an update
on the key issues linked to both GCSE Science and
GCE Physics, alongside looking at resources that
are available.
Workshop A2
Gary Williams – Different Models for
Teaching Electricity
In this workshop we’ll look at a variety of different
models for teaching electricity, and the strength and
weaknesses of each. We will also put this together
in a framework of content representations and
narratives developed by Loughran, Berry and Mulhall
(Understanding and Developing Science Teachers’
Pedagogical Content Knowledge: 2nd Edition).
At the end we should see the limitations of each
model, the pitfalls associated with those limitations
and know which models to switch too as well as linking
the ideas to a number of teaching resources.
Workshop A3
Alessio Bernardelli – Have you Ever TRULY
Mind Mapped?
Alessio Bernardelli has extensive experience in
developing thinking and in making mind mapping
and other learning techniques accessible to learners
and teachers. He is an Official iMindMap Leader and
TASC Specialist and in this workshop he will give an
insight into how to develop effective memory and mind
mapping techniques to support learners’ revision and
to enhance their comprehension of science topics.
This workshop is for anyone interested in improving
their mind mapping skills and for those who want to
understand what mind mapping is all about within a
science context.
Workshop A4
Gareth Kelly – Mathematics for A-level Physics
This book gives the mathematical background
required for A-level physics. It is packed with hints
and exercises that will be of use to many: the AS
candidates who need more help with the transition to
the demands of Year 12, the non-maths candidates
who need more practise with problem work, Russell
Group entrants who benefit from seeing advanced
mathematics presented from a physics perspective.
The author will also discuss the changes to the popular
AS and A2 Physics Pupil Revision Guides. This will be
particularly useful to centres taking WJEC for the first
time in 2015.
Workshop A5
David Cunnah – S1 What can IOP offer
ITT students?
To help support your physics teaching, IOP offers
free resources to all student science teachers at
all secondary levels through our Student Teacher
Affiliation Scheme. During this presentation you will
learn about all the different IOP resources, the online
community website, Talkphysics.org, and the USB
stick that all ITT students receive after they become
a Student Teacher Affiliate.
Workshop T1
Frank Lane – Make and Take a Rocket Motor Testbed with Chart Recorder
Almost every expense has been spared for you to to
make this, based on an idea in the Advancing Physics
course. It produces a 1.5 m chart of motor thrust
against time while creating loads of smoke.
Frank Lane (ex Holywell High School)
Workshop B1 /C1
Sue McGrath – Sound workshop
When you drag your nail across the string, the rough
surface causes your nail and string to vibrate.
The container, with its large surface area, amplifies the
sound. Large containers will give you louder sounds.
Thunder tubes are readily available in market places
or you can get them from science providers such as
SciChem or Tim Starr. Just like the string, when the
metal spring is plucked separately the sound emitted
is very quiet. By attaching it to a resonating cylinder
with a drum head the sound is very much amplified.
When the tube is shaken with the spring hanging down
– whoa! – a surprisingly realistic (and incredibly loud)
sound of thunder results. Use your free hand to cover
the tube’s open end and you can produce a scary
“wah-wah” sound. Lightly tapping the spring on a hard
surface produces a sound similar to that of a jaw harp.
Experiment and come up with your own sounds.
A cheaper version can be made using plastic cable
ties and recycled plastic cups or pots.
Workshop B2/C2
Lab in a Lorry – James Banford
Lab in a Lorry is an interactive mobile science
laboratory staffed by practising scientists and
engineers. The aim of Lab in a Lorry is to give
young people aged 11–14 the opportunity to do
experimental science in the way it actually happens;
exploratory, accidental, informed by curiosity and
intuition, but also bounded and guided by the
experience and insight of practicing scientists. Each
lorry is a self-contained experience – it rolls up and
is ready to go. During this workshop you will have an
opportunity to participate in the experiments and find
out more information about the lorry.
Workshop B3/C3
Sheila Tong – Hands-on Physics Experiments
Hands-on Physics experiments using Pasco SparkVue
software capturing the data onto iPads using
bluetooth technology. See the capabilities of the
mathematical options of the software used for all
levels of science education. In addition carry out
physics experiments using the more advanced Pasco
Capstone software used for A-level physics and higher
education work. An overview of the Pasco software
SparkVue, followed by the Pasco Capstone software.
Following this introduction, workstations will be
available with physics experiments for delegates to
try out, these will demonstrate the capability of both
software options.
Workshop B4/C4
Richard Bonella – Make and Take: use LEDs
to build a demonstration rectifier
We introduce diodes at KS4. Pupils are generally
expected to recall the current-pd characteristic as
an example of a non-ohmic component. It is a pity
not to give them at least one example of an
application of diodes. In this workshop we’ll build a
rectifier with LEDs, both to show what diodes do and
to demonstrate one practical application. Soldering
skills will not be necessary.
Workshop B5/C5
Lawrence Cattermole – The Physics of Football
Resources and Ideas for Teaching Physics
through Football
The Institute of Physics and Arsenal FC are involved
in a joint project that uses football as a way of getting
children to engage with physics, and improve their
football as well. Come and explore the resources and
activities that can be used with students of different
ages and capabilities. Each activity involves students
using physics to investigate a particular aspect of
football. Activities include: How can you kick and
throw the ball further? What makes a good pass? How
can you control a ball effectively? How can you spin
and bend the ball? and using your body for balance
and stability.
“Advances personal understanding on
subjects as well as providing practical
ideas and resources for use in school”
The event includes a day full of activities that can
directly benefit your work as a physics teacher,
including:
Mae’r gynhadledd yn cynnwys diwrnod yn llawn
o weithgareddau a fydd o fudd uniongyrchol i’ch
gwaith fel athro ffiseg, yn cynnwys:
• An opportunity to meet colleagues and find
• Cyfle i gyfarfod cydweithwyr a thrafod newidiadau
out about the changes in specifications and
examinations.
• Presentations by Prof. Peter Barham and
Dr Rhys Phillips.
• A choice of practical workshops in the afternoon
and an opportunity to try out new equipment,
including practical demonstrations for teaching
of physics at all levels. We also encourage you to
bring any of your own ideas and equipment and
share them with colleagues.
• An exhibition area with many of the instrument
a datblygiadau yn y manylebau ac arholiadau.
• Cyflwyniadau gan yr Athro Prof Peter Barham
a Dr Rhys Phillips.
• D ewis o amrywiaeth o weithdai ymarferol yn
y prynhawn ynghyd a chyfle i edrych ar offer
newydd, yn cynnwys arddangosiadau ar gyfer
addysgu ffiseg ar bob lefel. ‘Rydym hefyd yn eich
annog i ddod a unrhyw offer a syniadau eich hun i
rannu gyda’ch cydweithwyr.
• Ardal arddangos gyda nifer o gwmnïau a
gwerthwyr llyfrau yn bresennol.
and booksellers exhibiting.
Booking is essential, so respond
no later than 29 September 2014.
Mae’n rhaid sicrhau lle, dim
hwyrach na 29 Medi 2014.
To register and for more information, go to
http://welshphysicsteachersconference.
eventbrite.co.uk
I gofrestru ac am fwy o wybodaeth ewch i
http://welshphysicsteachersconference.
eventbrite.co.uk
For more information, please contact
[email protected]
07870 351212
Am ragor o fanylion cysylltwch gyda
[email protected]
07870 351212
Organised by Cerian Angharad, Teacher Network
Coordinator in South Wales and the Institute of
Physics in Wales
Trefnwyd gan Cerian Angharad, Cydlynydd
Rhwydwaith Ffiseg De Cymru a’r Sefydliad Ffiseg
yng Nghymru
Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT
Tel +44 (0) 20 7470 4800 Fax +44 (0) 20 7637 4266
E-mail [email protected] www.iop.org