Teach Physics 2022
Applications for Teach Physics placements in summer 2022 are now closed.
Published: 1 December 2021
“Through this internship I have discovered that I have a real passion for education and that teaching, whilst a rigorous and often emotionally challenging profession, is something that I am eager to pursue in the future.”
2021 intern
Are you a physics or engineering undergraduate thinking about going into physics teaching?
Applications are now open for the 2022 Ogden Teach Physics programme. Entering its twelfth year, Teach Physics provides undergraduates with a funded four- to five-week placement in school science departments, allowing students to gain an intensive experience of teaching physics and of broader school life.
Teach Physics interns are supported and mentored by experienced teachers; and they observe and participate in school science lessons and extra-curricular activities. In addition, they plan and deliver their own lessons, and share their experiences of university life. The interns are encouraged to join in with all aspects of teaching, including the development of resources that can be used for science teaching and activities at the school once the placements are over.
The feedback from the interns in 2021 was overwhelmingly positive; the scheme enabled them to embrace the teaching opportunity and gave them insight and experience to fully consider a future career in physics teaching.
My [Teach Physics internship] was one of the most informative and eye-opening periods of time that I have ever experienced. By the end of my time there I had been made to feel incredibly comfortable and I was sad to leave. I feel like I learned an awful lot about what makes a good teacher through my observations and the lessons I taught. These qualities include, but are not limited to, good planning ability, the ability to build up respect in the classroom and the willingness to go the extra mile. Spending this time with such deserving students and such inspiring colleagues has made it clear to me that teaching is something that I want to pursue after graduating from university.”
Intern 2021
“In 2021, 66 interns completed Teach Physics placements at 51 schools around England and we are really pleased to open applications for Teach Physics 2022, which this year will be open to physics and engineering undergraduates,” says Ruhena Uddin, Programme Officer for the scheme. “We had a fantastic cohort for 2021 and one of our interns has even been given a part-time teaching assistant role in maths and physics whilst they finish their degree.
“We are able to place successful applicants at schools with very strong physics departments, meaning the interns can fully immerse themselves in a school teaching environment with a strong network of support and resources,” continues Ruhena. “We have schools across England wanting to take part in the scheme, with new schools joining the programme and long-established partners continuing as host schools. We hope to encourage even more undergraduate applicants to apply and more schools to host.”
“I had a wonderful time, before this I didn’t think I would want to do teaching in the future but now I am seriously considering it as a career path.”
“I thought it was brilliant and would love to do it again! Thank you for a great experience!”
If your school is interested in hosting an intern, please visit the Teach Physics web page where you can find out more information and download our Teach Physics leaflet for schools (2022) which gives a useful overview of the programme and its requirements
The Ogden Trust offers an educational grant to the host school, including £100 per intern towards the science department and to cover Disclosure and Barring Service checks, and the interns receive a training grant based on £300 per completed week.