A festival of physics
Supporting Physics Partners in their mission to help teachers deliver practical, engaging physics.
Published: 8 July 2025
Last month, with support from The Ogden Trust, Physics Partners brought their Festival of Physics to Leicester. The day was designed to bring together trainee teachers, early career teachers and those teaching physics out of specialism, with sessions to improve knowledge and pedagogy.
Fifty teachers, 25 trainee teachers and 21 technicians took part in three expert-led workshops, choosing from sessions covering hands-on practical activities and creative teaching strategies for the physics classroom. Topics ranged from loudspeaker building and tactile astronomy to using particle accelerator models and space science to engage students.
The Keynote presentation by Professor Philip Moriarty, “Where Atoms meet AI: Quantum Physics, ChatGPT, and GCSEs,” was a great start to the day, bringing the world of atomic manipulation and quantum mechanics to life.
“Everything was organised perfectly, went away with amazing ideas for our physics department …”
Participant
The ‘Speed Dating Physics’ session was another highlight for attendees and a great chance to quickly gather new teaching ideas and demonstrations. Networking opportunities, time to browse exhibits and a free raffle for physics equipment generously donated by exhibitors all contributed to a valuable day of professional development.
Kirstin Greygoose, Head of School Partnerships for the Trust, joined the day: “It was fantastic to be able to support this festival of physics,” says Kirstin. “If we can help teachers and technicians to build their networks, knowledge and pedagogy, they can deliver classroom physics with confidence, clarity and enthusiasm. If students have a positive experience of physics, they will be more open to the opportunities it can bring.”
Getting hands-on with practical ideas for the physics classroom.