The aim of this project is to share good practice and develop an understanding of skills, learning and teaching in undergraduate physics courses in Scotland. This is intended to be the start of a new collaborative project in Scottish UG physics teaching.
Our research underpinning this event (Gray et al., 2024) indicates that there has been a significant reduction in practical work completed in secondary schools over the last decade, due to educational policies around equipment cost and time for practical work. The Institute of Physics has also noted a shortage of technical skills in the UK workforce (IOP, 2022). The decline of practical skills in secondary education, observed in our research, impacts the wider Scottish economy and society as companies may source better trained employees from outwith Scotland or potentially relocate their businesses.
By bringing educators together to discuss the implications of this research and the potential impact on Scotland and its economy, we will raise the importance such research has in education design and thereby enhance the impact of our work. A major outcome is to understand what further research will ultimately convince policy makers to address the Scottish technical skills deficit. Through an understanding of how current research can be built on, and by fostering collaboration, we can enhance our impact. Physics is currently significantly underrepresented in a variety of areas, and this would form one of the major discussion points at the events. What role does the University sector have in enhancing the practical and technical abilities of physics students in preparation for the Scottish technical workforce?
Expected outputs:
- A policy position paper relating to what is taught in preparation for and in Universities and how this relates to the requirements of the economy (including the research economy).
- Dissemination of the implications of our current research on the requirements and opportunities for Scottish Physics departments.
- To foster collaboration to complete future partnerships for further work in the area of practical abilities across the Scottish University sector and allow us to prepare to leverage significant funding.
- Information which will inform this future collaboration and ensure direct impact of the University on the future of physics-based education.
Following the meetings, newly combined groups will develop significant funding applications for taking this work forward.
References
Gray, L et al (2024) Practical teaching secondary level certified physics: a view from Scotland. Physics Education, Volume 59, Number 6
https://www.iop.org/sites/default/files/2022-01/Physics-in-demand-labour-market-skills-uk-and-ireland.pdf