1. The Independent Review of VCAA: Vicphysics Survey
Vicphysics will be making a submission to the VCAA review, see below for details of the review. We plan to acknowledge those aspects of its work that effectively support teachers, to ensure these are retained, as well as identifying aspects that could be improved.
To assist with that task we have prepared a survey for teachers.
Please take a few minutes in the next two weeks to complete the survey. Your responses will guide the preparation of the submission. Vicphysics appreciates the support of Deakin University in setting up this survey.
The survey addresses areas such as:
- The Units 3 and 4 assessment tasks, in particular their scope, links to the content and workload for teachers and students,
- The audit process, both in terms of workload on teachers and the quality of the feedback,
- The exam process,
- Regular reviews of study designs.
Stage 2 of the review will include a review of the VCAA’s structure, operations, culture and capability, including benchmarking and comprehensive consultation with VCAA staff and key stakeholders. Teacher associations are planning to make submissions as teachers are impacted by the products and advice from VCAA. Submissions are now open and close on 30th June,
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2. Derek Muller PI Lecture: What Everybody gets wrong about AI and Learning
Derek Muller explores how AI might change how we teach and learn, drawing on insights from past tech shifts and core principles of cognitive science. While AI presents exciting opportunities, it also introduces real risks—especially when it comes to how our brains build knowledge and expertise.
His talk is very thought-provoking and goes for about 45 mins, which is followed by 25 minutes which are also worth listening to.
A file of the time sequence with comments is available here.
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3. Perimeter Institute Workshop for Students: Gravity and Black Holes
Perimeter Institute’s online GoPhysics! Workshops give curious high school students the opportunity to use their high school physics to dive into modern physics topics.
GoPhysics! Gravity & Black Holes is a student workshop designed for Grade 11 and 12 students offered by Perimeter Institute. During the workshop, students tackle some big questions: What is gravity? How is Einstein different than Newton? How do black holes, some of the most mysterious objects in our universe, fit into this discussion? Join other students to explore exciting physics topics through group activities and discussions.
The Melbourne times are 24th and 25th July at 9:00am each day. The sessions should last an hour, but this is not specified.
There is no cost.
For more details click here.
The student must register, include parental approval and indicate why they are interested.
This is an application-based program with limited enrolment. Registration will close on June 13, 2025 at 5:00pm Toronto Time. Successful applicants will be notified via email by June 25, 2025.
4. Photon Bricks: A LEGO set for playful quantum explorations
Researchers from the University of Nottingham, alongside student LEGO enthusiasts, have developed a LEGO-based interferometer kit to make quantum science more accessible and engaging.
The kits are designed for secondary and older pupils, embracing a hands-on approach with LEGO bricks that are suitable for classroom use. The fully functional LEGO interferometer sets are designed to replicate professional optical equipment, bridging the gap between abstract concepts of cutting-edge technology and tangible demonstrations that captivate live audiences. With easy-to-follow instructions, these kits serve as valuable teaching aids, inspiring the next generation of scientists.
This is a link to an article about the project. This is the link to the Photon Bricks website, which more details of the project, as well as resource materials, which includes csv files of the LEGO components needed.
5. Events for Students
Girls in Physics Breakfasts
The support of the Invergowrie Foundation has enabled Vicphysics to increase the subsidy for the student fee for the regional breakfasts. The fee this year is now $15.
 a) Geelong, 14th August. i) How important are powders? ii) Rethinking Waste: Engineering a Circular Future with Negin Amini and Sirjana Adhikari, Deakin University Bookings open Closing date: 4th August Flyer is available
b) Traralgon, 27th August. Molecular Movies with X-ray lasers with A/Prof Nadia Zatsepin, Swinburne University. Bookings Open. Closing date: 18th August Flyer is available
Starting Times in 2025. This year the metropolitan events will start at 8:00am and the regional events will start at 8:30am.
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Out of Field PD: Light & Sound
The Out of Field PD continues in 2025. Forces and Motion started last week.
- Light and Sound in Moe and Wangaratta in 2 two-hour online sessions after school and one full day in person session in the month of June. Presented by Barbara McKinnon and Pete Furlong. Moe dates: 26th August and 9th Sept after school and 2nd Sept full day. Wangaratta dates: 3rd and 17th June after school and 11th June full day. Flyer
- Cost of events: $330 per participant with a discount for teachers from Government schools and from schools with a low ICSEA rank. Discounted cost is $220.
To Book an event: Click on the link above.
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7. Seeking a Physics teacher? Seeking a new position? 4 positions
There are four schools seeking a physics teacher.
The Job Ads page on Vicphysics website is updated every weekend. The webpage also has a link on how schools can register a position and lodge a payment for this service.
- St Albans Secondary College (closes 11th June)
- Elevation Secondary College (closes 11th June)
- Mortlake P - 12 College (closes 12th June)
- Lilydale Heights College (closes 10th June)
Items selected from PhysicsWorld (UK) and Physics Today (US). Each item below includes the introductory paragraphs and a web link to the rest of the article.
a) Teaching quantum physics to everyone: pictures offer a new way of understanding
A podcast of an interview with the authors of a book called 'Quantum in Pictures: A New way to Understand the Quantum World'
The book that promises to make the fields of quantum physics and quantum computing more inclusive and open to anyone, regardless of their mathematical or scientific background. By introducing readers of all levels of expertise – from school children, parents and general science enthusiasts to businesspeople and educators – to the central concepts of quantum theory, Quantum in Pictures helps to grow public understanding of quantum computing, and the scientific theory that lies behind it.
b) No laughing matter: a comic book about the climate crisis
Review of World Without End: an Illustrated Guide to the Climate Crisis. Comics are regarded as an artform in France, where they account for a quarter of all book sales. Nevertheless, the graphic novel World Without End: an Illustrated Guide to the Climate Crisis was a surprise French bestseller when it first came out in 2022. Taking the form of a Socratic dialogue between French climate expert Jean-Marc Jancovici and acclaimed comic artist Christophe Blain, it’s serious, scientific stuff. Overall, this is a Trojan horse of a book: what appears to be a playful comic is packed with dense, academic content.
c) The evolution of the metre: How a product of the French Revolution became a mainstay of worldwide scientific collaboration
The 20th of May is World Metrology Day, and this year it was extra special because it was also the 150th anniversary of the treaty that established the metric system as the preferred international measurement standard. Known as the Metre Convention, the treaty was signed in 1875 in Paris, France by representatives of all 17 nations that belonged to the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) at the time, making it one of the first truly international agreements. Though nations might come and go, the hope was that this treaty would endure “for all times and all peoples”.
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i) Vicphysics Membership and Access to the Teachers' Resources on the website.
Vicphysics has changed its membership structure, benefits and fees. Previously, a subscription to the website resources was separate from being a member of Vicphysics. Access to website resources is now being included as one of a number of member benefits.
Membership benefits include:
- access to teacher resources section of the website
- discounts to attend conferences, in-services, etc,
- certification for attending each PD event,
- PL certificate for committee meetings supplied at the end of the calendar year and
- voting rights.
Membership fees are: Individual: $60, Retired: $40, Student (tertiary): $40, School: $120.
Vicphysics also offers a Resources Access Only option without the discounts and other benefits listed above. The fees for this option are the same as above.
Existing subscribers currently receive discounts, which will cease when their subscription expires. At that point, subscribers will need to choose between the two options above for continued access to the Teacher resources.
We are looking forward to increasing the membership base of Vicphysics and to fostering member input into our extensive range of activities from Physics teaching professional learning such as our recent SAC PD events or the Physics Teachers Conference to supporting activities for students, such as the Luna Park Physics Days or photo and poster competitions.
You can join us here!
ii) Vicphysics Forum: Tips and Questions for the Physics Teaching Community
The Vicphysics Teachers’ Network has set up an online Forum for teachers to raise issues, seek ideas, offer suggestions, etc.
Link here directly, or look out for it on our webpage where it can be found at the top right of our home page.
We hope it will be an opportunity for mutual professional development.
The forum is open to all teachers. If you are a subscriber, you can log in the usual way. If you are not a subscriber, you can register to use the forum at ‘My Account’. Given the purposes of this Forum, we ask that you use your real name when generating a topic or lodging a post.
We hope this Forum will become a valuable medium for exchanging ideas as we begin planning the new study design.
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