Physics Forward

Helping science educators design and deliver a diverse, inclusive and accessible physics curriculum 👩🏾‍🏫🔭👨🏼‍🔬👨🏽‍💻📚🛰️⚛️

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

💭 Thinking about the overlap between #literacy and #physics. “Physics literacy” = symbols (often from another language), diagrams, graphs, and dense technical text. What can physics educators learn from how literacy is taught to make physics truly accessible? #inclusivephysics

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

What strategies are most effective during practicals, especially for older students, to enable inclusive cooperation in pairs and small groups? #inclusiveSTEM

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

Scenario: Y13 physics practical, in a class of 12 boys and 1 girl. The boys set up, measure, explore results; the girl records results, not really saying much. The teacher wants the girl to join in more.

Sound familiar? #inclusiveSTEM

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

Response: The deficit doesn’t lie with the girl. Has the teacher cultivated an environment in which dominating behaviours are challenged? Collaborative behaviours explicitly modelled? Structured activities so no students are sidelined? #inclusive #physics

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

💭 KS3 Curriculum Disrupter: ‘Hold up, is colour the same for everyone?’ Use colour blindness/VI as a lens to explore how light & colour is perceived differently. Get students to appreciate that some people can be excluded if we assume all eyes perceive light the same #curriculum

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

DISRUPT THE TYPICAL! What are “curriculum disrupters” and how can they be used to move towards a more inclusive #physics #curriculum? Check out our latest blog, “A Feminist & A Physicist Walk into a School…” https://t.co/3Evvr2w6zT

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

DISRUPT THE TYPICAL! What are “curriculum disrupters” and how can they be used to move towards a more inclusive #physics #curriculum? Check out our latest blog, “A Feminist & A Physicist Walk into a School…” https://t.co/3Evvr2w6zT

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

Use them well to prompt moments of curiosity and intrigue. They can be witty, cutting, & critical. Use them consistently so they feel authentic & intentional - not just a(nother) curriculum bolt on. Attached is a great example from an art exhibition in Nottingham - zoom in! 📸

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

“Hold up!” #Curriculum disrupters are small intrusions in resources or teaching that challenges conventional narratives . They’re a great way to explore alternative perspectives, & by doing so including diverse/inclusive aspects without necessarily dwelling on them. (1/2)

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

Extended reading in physics lessons is such an easy way to inspire curiosity and implement diverse & inclusive themes, alongside developing literacy in science. A well chosen article, including time for learners to reflect and discuss, can go a long way 📖

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

Revisiting this: interesting links between this kind of activity and “thematic apperception tests” in psychology - a really good way to explore deep ingrained motives. This could be a great way to explore student conceptions of physics and physicists 🧠

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

💡 Celebrate #diverserepresentation, explore misconceptions, and showcase #careers all in one, by asking your students to “imagine”💭 For example, in a lesson on gravity, show an image of an astrophysicist *not* surrounded by wires and telescopes… #curriculum (1/4)🧵

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

💭 “Decolonising the curriculum” is rich, layered, & has many differing perspectives & opinions. Is the underpinning idea about dismantling historic power structures that are upheld by our curricula? Which of these might be upheld by narratives & themes in the physics curriculum?

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

Excited to keynote at @PhysicsNews Scholars Celebration this Saturday 14 June 👩‍🏫 🧑🏽‍🎓 with a room full of new physics teachers! My talk is titled “Sparks and Signals” to motivate, inspire and ignite their teaching journeys! #physics #teaching

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

Emmy Noether’s story & achievements is such a rich source of #curriculum inspo. Right from KS3, where students learn specific examples of conserving energy, her incredible insights could be used to inspire curiosity & link to other topics like geometry & symmetry in maths 💭

[Quanta Magazine @QuantaMagazine]

The conceptual consequences of Noether’s theorem are hard to overstate. https://t.co/X5WbyIDsat

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

Not only is this experimental approach to quantum gravity super cool (😉) but the story of Stanford’s Assistant Professor of Physics Monika Schleier-Smith is inspirational: the power of exposing young people to cutting edge research at a young age! 👏 🧠

[Quanta Magazine @QuantaMagazine]

For physicist Monika Schleier-Smith, simulating quantum gravity is a high-risk, high-reward endeavor. Tune in to this week’s episode of “The Joy of Why” with co-host @stevenstrogatz: https://t.co/iCATRCrIFE

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

“We will also ensure that the curriculum (and related material) is inclusive so that all young people will see themselves represented in their learning, as well as seeing others’ perspectives and broadening their horizons.” Interesting commitments from the Curriculum Review! 💭

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

Love the theme for #ScienceWeek, “Change and Adapt”. Change, as they say, is inevitable… in what ways is the physics curriculum ripe for change? 💭

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

Always a pleasure linking up with @ogdentrust to reignite conversations about #inclusion in the physics #curriculum! 🧑🏾‍🏫 📚

[Ogden Trust @ogdentrust]

What do we mean by high quality physics education? Inspiring insight into curriculum design with @PhysicsForward
📖 narrative for cognition, engagement and inclusion #Storytelling #Diversity #WTO

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

💡The idea of a hidden curriculum as explained by Jerald (2006) is the implicit expressions & representations of attitudes, knowledge & values which are conveyed or communicated without aware intent. What attitudes & values are baked in to the current #physics #curriculum ? 🤔💭

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

Stories engage 💡 I went on a hot air balloon & was *petrified*! I noticed the pilot kept an eye on air temp inside so he could control things like height & speed. Can’t wait to share my terror & spice up some lessons on forces, pressure, & the atmosphere 🎈#physics #curriculum

[Physics Forward @physicsforward]

Have you heard of Francis Williams? Here he is, in roughly 1745, commissioning a portrait to document and immortalise his groundbreaking academic achievements in mathematics and astronomy. Go find out more! 🇯🇲 🔭 🌌 ☄️ #ReclaimingNarratives #physics #Diversity #inspire