Current Projects

The Ogden Trust funds a number of projects and programmes which meet its remit of promoting physics education in the UK. These projects include competitions and courses for A-level pupils, programmes for primary schools and science education research projects. 

A brief summary of the projects we are currently supporting can be found below, please click the links for more details.

Ogden Trust Physics Symposium
This is an annual three-day residential course for A2 students in September hosted by Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and the Cavendish Laboratory. 

InspirUS at Lancaster Royal Grammar School
Inspirus is a programme for Gifted and Talented primary school pupils across the region who attend a series of challenging masterclasses.  They attend a special classroom run by LRGS teachers on a 10-week cycle of weekly afternoon lessons and the programme is open to all 53 primary schools in the region.  The project covers all curriculum areas and offers a specialist science stream with a substantial physics element.

STIMULUS
STIMULUS is a community service programme which gives Cambridge University students the opportunity to work with pupils in local schools, helping with Maths, Science, ICT or Technology lessons.  STIMULUS students work as volunteer Teaching Assistants in the classroom, alongside the class teacher.

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 three science education research fellowships awarded by The Royal Society, with an emphasis on physics education, one commencing October 2009 for five years, and two commencing October 2011, each for two years. 
 
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. 
 
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 residential course hosted at  Rugby School, Stowe School and Lancaster Royal Grammar School and takes place at Easter each year to inspire year 10 students from all over England to study physics beyond GCSE level. 

Physics Olympics
The St. Peter’s School York Physics Olympics Competition for year 8 pupils first took place in 2007 and has grown from 17 teams in the first year to over thirty.

The competition is open to all schools and attracts teams from as far away as Newcastle in the North East and Bury in the North West. Any school interested in entering next year's event or who would like to find out further details should contact d.morris@st-peters.york.sch.uk