Current Projects

The Ogden Trust provides financial support to a number of projects and schemes which meet its remit of promoting physics education in the UK. These projects range from large scale national competitions for A-level pupils such as the British Physics Olympiad to smaller projects linking universities with local primary schools.
 
A brief summary of the projects we are currently supporting can be found below, please click the links for more details.
 
The British Physics Olympiad (BPhO)
 
The BPhO is a series of four national competitions which test students' understanding of the principles of physics taught at A-level and GCSE, and enable them to compare their attainment with students from all over the UK.
 
Senior Physics Challenge 
 
The Senior Physics Challenge is a week long summer school run by the University of Cambridge for AS students, which develops and enhances A-level physics to promote wider university access. 
 
Space School UK 
 
Space School UK is a residential summer school held at the University of Leicester. There are two different courses, which aim to inspire interest in physics through astronomy, space science and technology, targeting students who are preparing for GSCEs and A-levels .
 
The Royal Society Ogden Trust Research Fellowship Scheme 
 
The Ogden Trust has funded two science education research fellowships, with an emphasis on physics education, commencing October 2009 and October 2010. 
 
How to Grow a Scientist
 
How to Grow a Scientist is a project at Range High School in Merseyside, one of the leading comprehensive schools in the UK for A-level Physics, which is developing further ways to promote the uptake and learning of physics. 
 
Kit in a Kase (KiaK)
 
KiaK is a series of hands-on science activity sessions for primary school children run by Nottingham Trent University. 
 
Lab in a Lorry
 
Lab in a Lorry is an Institute of Physics initiative which consists of three articulated lorries containing fully equipped laboratories touring schools and allowing 11-14 year olds to take part in interactive experiments.
 
"Quantum Mechanics, Relativity and the Strange World of Taxi Journeys' 
 
This lecture by Hannah Davies, aimed at a secondary school audience, is designed to give a brief overview of quantum mechanics and special relativity, under the guise of a very unusual taxi journey.
 
"The worst ideas in science"
 
A lecture series aimed at students at GCSE level about how theories can be disregarded or modified as new evidence comes to light. 
 
Ogden Grand Prix
 
An initiative set up by The Trinity School, a comprehensive school in Nottingham, conducting science activities in local primary schools, including a competition to design the fastest car, from which it takes its name.
 
The Physics Factory
 
The aim of Physics Factory is to create school-based physics centres which can be accessed by a number of surrounding schools. 
 
Physics Delivery to schools in Coventry
 
Finham Park school has a very successful physics department, and this scheme encourages Finham to provide support to other local schools to improve their physics education.  
 
Science Sparks
 
Science Sparks is a project run by Durham High School for Girls providing curricular extension for gifted and talented children from local primary schools. 
 
SchoolsLab
 
SchoolsLab is a laboratory at the University of Liverpool devoted to hosting visits from local schools, providing both curricular support and trying to inspire interest in science.
 
Extreme Physics
 
Extreme Physics is a new project hosted at Oakham and Rugby Schools and took place from 5-8 April 2009.  It is a residential course to inspire year 10 students from around the East Midlands to study physics beyond GCSE level.