View Specification DocumentPhysics Education And Communication In Schools PHYS4034
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Physics and Astronomy
- Credits: 10
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course provides students with the opportunity to work as a physics teaching assistant in a local secondary school. During a series of weekly half-day visits, over 1 semester, each student will plan and deliver to a class of secondary school pupils a 'special project': a series of lessons investigating a specific area of physics relevant to the school curriculum.
Timetable
Each student enrolled on the course will typically spend one afternoon per week in the school with which he/she is paired.
Requirements of Entry
None
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
Assessment of student's journal, recording progress and development of classroom work (25%);
Assessment of oral presentation given by student upon completion of the course (15%)
Assessment by school teacher of the student's planning and delivery of special project (15%)
Assessment of end of course written report by student, on special report - including a critical evaluation of
its success (45%)
Course Aims
The aims of this course are: (1) to provide Honours Physics students with the opportunity to gain academic credit by working as teaching assistants and acting as role models in local secondary schools; (2) to encourage students to consider teaching as a career choice, whilst equipping students with valuable transferable skills developed in the classroom; (3) to provide teachers with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic assistant who is able to offer practical help and engage pupils in physics; (4) to provide GU with the opportunity to build stronger links with local schools and teaching staff, thus potentially boosting long-term recruitment into STEM subjects.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
- Describe the physical principles of their chosen special project topic at a level appropriate for a high school
student and an intelligent layperson
- Display interpersonal and team-working skills when dealing with colleagues
- Demonstrate an ability to improvise and adapt so as to deal with unexpected, difficult and potentially
disruptive situations
- Demonstrate organisational, prioritising and negotiating skills
- Demonstrate public speaking and communication skills
- Demonstrate knowledge of standard teaching methods
- Prepare lesson plans and teaching materials