1. Partnering with a school to cross marks Units 3 & 4 SACs
If you have less than five students in your Physics class, VCAA asks you to find a partner to cross mark with. This VCAA webpage has general information and useful advice.
The process VCAA suggests is:
- Login to VASS and check the Report for Partnerships *,
- Filter the report and see which schools you can partner with.
* In VASS go to 'School Program' and select 'Programs Offered by Schools'. In the next screen, select 'VCE Units' and 'Victorian Timetable', then lower down run down the list of subjects to 'Physics' and finally make a selection about Region and Sector if you wish. This will likely just give you a list of all the schools offering physics, but at least it is a start.
If you are seeking a school to partner with, there are several approaches:
- contact a colleague at another school, distance does not need to be a problem any more,
- contact neighbouring schools, the student cohorts should be comparable,
- if you are in a single sex school, look for one the same,
- find one or more schools that are in a similar boat and seeking a partner.
Vicphysics is happy to hear about your experiences and assist where we can, but we don't have any information about the student numbers in schools to be of service as a clearing house.
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2. Open Access Articles from 'Physics Education'
Physics Education is the international journal for everyone involved with the teaching of physics in schools. The monthly edition is available by subscription, but they also have a section called 'Open Access' where full articles can be read or downloaded. Below are some from the four pages of titles that you might find of value.
- The invisibility of time dilation (co-written by Theo Hughes)
- Making sound visible - a simple schlieren imaging set up for schools
- Ball rolling down a playground slide - What factors influence their motion? (Ann-Marie Pendrill, regular writer on amusement park physics)
- Velocity, acceleration, jerk, snap and vibration forces in our bodies in a roller coaster ride (Ann-Marie Pendrill et al)
- Is Archimedes Principle a law of nature? - Discussions in an extended teacher room (Ann-Marie Pendrill et al)
- Students making sense of motion in a vertical roller coaster loop (Ann-Marie Pendrill et al)
- Smart phones and Newton's first law in escalators and roller coasters (Ann-Marie Pendrill)
- Wireless power transfer experiments for a high school physics lab
- Rutherford visits middle school: A case study on how teachers direct attention to the nature of science through a storytelling approach
- Up and down, light and heavy, but where? (Ann-Marie Pendrill et al)
- Force, acceleration and velocity during trampoline jumps - a challenging assignment (Ann-Marie Pendrill et al)
- Introducing 12-year-olds to elementary particles
- Special relativity in the school laboratory - a simple apparatus for cosmic muon detection
3. Free articles from AAPT
In continuing to support physics teachers during difficult times, the AAPT is making available some recent articles from their magazine 'The Physics Teacher', the other go-to journal for physics teachers.
4. Contributions of 20th Century Women to Physics
This website is an archive documenting important and original contributions made by 83 women up to 1976. There is a full webpage for each describing their contribution as well as listing publications, honors and positions held.
The link, 'Fascinating documents' has one or more articles for each. Some by the person themselves, for example Marie Curie and Emmy Noether, while others have an historical overview such as 'Early Nuclear Physics'. It is easier to search this area by 'subject'.
5. A request to assist with research on out-of-field teaching
Teachers being asked to take subjects they were not trained for, is something that happens in some schools and in some teaching areas.
To research this area, a PhD student from Monash University, Patricia Harry, is inviting teachers to complete an online questionnaire. It is expected that it will take no longer than 10 minutes.
In this phase of her study, she is investigating the extent of out-of-field teaching that occurs in Victorian Government Secondary Schools, and teachers' experiences when teaching in-field and out-of-field. The questionnaire will be completely confidential with no identifying data.
An explanatory statement for the research is at the beginning of the questionnaire. Please read this carefully before deciding whether to participate.
Please click on this link to begin the questionnaire.
This PhD research is supervised by Prof. Colleen Vale and Dr. Jennifer Hall from Monash University. Approval for this research has been granted by Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC) as well as the Department of Education and Training (Victoria). If you would like any further information on this study, please contact one of the researchers above.
6. Vicphysics Subscriptions
The free introductory offer has lapsed. To now access the Teachers resources section of the website a paid subscription is required. Details are at the bottom of the home page.
a) VCE lectures, 4:30pm, Wednesdays, University of Melbourne
This series of lectures has started. They will be held on Wednesdays about once a fortnight at a new time of 4:30pm and because of COVID students need to register to attend and they can also register to access the lectures on-line. For details of the full program check here.
i) Resistance is futile, 4:30pm, Wednesday 31st March
Speaker: Dr Stephan Rachel
Abstract: From simple electrical circuits (e.g. a battery connected to a light bulb) to one of the most fascinating states of quantum matter, a superconductor, we will discuss the role of resistance and how these things react to the presence of a magnetic field.
Venue: Redmond Barry Building, Tin Alley, University of Melbourne
To register for audience tickets or to view the lecture online, click here . Registration is required
ii) Glow in the dark: Using fluorescence to observe DNA in a living cell, 4:30pm, Wednesday, 21st April
Speaker: Dr Liz Hinde
Abstract: Dr Hinde explores how we are using fluorescence microscopy methods to visualise how molecules move throughout the 3D DNA network of a living cell. Plus lots of Glow in the Dark demonstrations!
Venue: Lowe Theatre, Redmond Barry Building, Tin Alley, University of Melbourne
To register for audience tickets or to view the lecture online, click here . Registration is required
Notes from previous lectures on topics including relativity, electricity and nuclear energy from recent years are also available at the website.
b) Girls in STEM: Empowering Curiosity - Friday, 18th June
An event for girls in Years 9 to 10:
- An opportunity to be inspired by women who have forged impressive careers in STEAM industries.
- Engage in hands-on activities to stimulate interest and engagement in STEAM based careers.
This event explore females in STEM careers with an emphasis on the importance of mathematics required for success. Students will hear from leading industry experts in a range of fields about their experiences working in a STEM focused career.
Experts will share their stories; the journey they took, the contributions they have made, the impact of being a female, tips for success, and how to overcome obstacles along the way.
The importance of mathematics in VCE subject selection, university degrees and in STEM careers is addressed. An interactive panel discussion follows the individual presentations.
Students will then engage in two hands-on STEM based activities that require students to be curious and creative, delivered by our supporting partners. One activity includes a hands on engineering experience run by 'Engineers without Borders'.
Please note that morning tea is provided. Teachers and students will need to BYO lunch. (Subject to change according to COVID safe plans)
Venue: Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School
Cost: $35 /$25 per student. Max 20 students per school
To register: click here . For more information click here.
c) Victorian Young Physicists' Tournament
VYPT is back this year with a number of changes. For those not familiar with VYPT. It is a competition for students in Years 10 and 11. During Terms 2 and 3, in teams of 3, the students experimentally investigate a common set of three topics, then on Sunday, 12th September in a series of one-on-one 30 minute contests with other teams, they describe their method, explain their findings, and question and challenge the presentations of others.
The topics for 2021 are:
- Conical Piles Non-adhesive granular materials can be poured such that they form a cone-like pile. Investigate the parameters that affect the formation of the cone and the angle it makes with the ground.
- Saxon Bowl A bowl with a hole in its base will sink when placed in water. The Saxons used this device for timing purposes. Investigate the parameters that determine the time of sinking.
- Falling Tower: Identical discs are stacked one on top of another to form a freestanding tower. The bottom disc can be removed by applying a sudden horizontal force such that the rest of the tower will drop down onto the surface and the tower remains standing. Investigate the phenomenon and determine the conditions that allow the tower to remain standing.
These topics are engaging, accessible at different levels, don't require a lot of equipment and not restricted to the science classroom. They are an ideal challenge for keen students.
The features of the competition are:
- it is team based,
- focused on experimental investigations and
- uses oral presentations.
Prizes: There is a prize for every student, with major prizes for top place getters and a trophy for the winning team.
Mentors: This year sees the involvement of university students, who will not only assist teachers on the judging panels, but will be available as mentors to the teams. Teachers will be able to request a mentor for each team when they register.
Venue: University of Melbourne
Registration: This year there is a fee: $20 per team for a Vicphysics subscriber, $40 per team for a non-subscriber. Registrations will open at the beginning of Term 2 and will close on 23rd July.
Note: One teacher for every two teams needs to be nominated, who will be a member of the judging panels on the day.
Travel Subsidy will be available for regional schools.
For further details, there are four relevant webpages on the Vicphysics website:
- For general information,
- For teachers with advice on planning, including a promotional flyer and a link to the video of Physics Teachers' Conference workshop with a discussion among a panel of teachers who have participated before.
- For students, with guide questions, hints and links to useful resources.
- For University students, interested in being judges and mentors.
8. Events for Teachers
a) Beginning Physics Teachers In-Service, Thursday, 15th April
The venue will be John Monash Science School and this year there will be a small registration fee, $20 for Vicphysics subscribers and $40 for non-subscribers. The program includes:
- Hands on opportunity to try a large range of practical activities and demonstrations, supported by experienced teachers,
- Chief Assessor, Andrew Hansen, providing advice of how to prepare students for the Physics exam,
- Assessment Ideas with Dr Merryn Dawborn-Gundlach and Dr Syd Boydell from the University of Melbourne,
- Panel of experienced teachers sharing their ideas and answering questions on course planning, teaching tricky concepts, etc.
A package of course planning material will be provided to each participant..
Lunch, morning and afternoon tea are included. There will also be a travel subsidy to assist teachers coming from regional areas.
To register click here for the Trybooking site. There is also an opportunity when registering to add to the program by mentioning areas you would like addressed. Check our website for more details.
b) Big Ideas in Physics: A New Scientist Online Lecture Series
- Making Sense of Quantum Theory with Carlo Rovelli, 6pm, 1st April (UK time). Prof Rovelli is the author of the popular books 'Seven Brief Lessons on Physics and 'Reality is not what it seems'.
- How fast is the Universe growing? with Jo Dunkley, 6pm, 6th May. Prof Dunkley is a British astrophysicist and Professor of Physics at Princeton University.
- How Time Works with Sean Carroll, 6pm, 3rd June. Prof Carroll is a Research Professor at CalTech.
The Rovelli talk will be held at 4:00am Melbourne time on the Friday morning, however a ticket purchase gives you on demand access to the lecture and the Q&A session for 12 months.
Individual tickets are £13 (early booking rate) and there is a 25% discount on the series ticket.
9. Physics from the Web
Items selected from the bulletin of the Institute of Physics (UK).
a) Standing up for science in difficult times
With COVID-19 fostering anti-science conspiracies, Caitlin Duffy says that scientists have a duty to speak up and challenge misinformation . Every minute of every day some 300 hours of video is uploaded to YouTube and millions of stimulating but unregulated discussions occur daily on forum sites. While the Internet allows instant access to information and each other, the bias of algorithms favour suggestions that appeal to the user. Alongside media sensationalism and political corruption, the Internet has cultivated an insurgence of anti-science ideology, fuelled by misinformation, under-representation and angered passion. In a world where nearly 60% of the population has access to the Internet, scientists are needed more than ever to safeguard facts, reliability, global peace and health.
b) Is the answer to climate change lying beneath your feet?
James McKenzie examines the potential of pumps that warm our homes and offices by extracting heat from the ground below.
About 15 years ago I bought a house in Cornwall. It wasn’t any ordinary house but a “future-technology” building that had been fitted with a ground-source heat pump and underfloor heating. It was a fantastic place to live in – well insulated and always cosy. As soon as my family moved in and we had unpacked, I simply had to find out how it all worked.
c) Has a new particle called a ‘leptoquark’ been spotted at CERN?
A hint of the possible existence of a hypothetical particle called a leptoquark has appeared as an unexpected difference in how beauty quarks decay to create electrons or muons. Measured by physicists working on the LHCb experiment on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, the difference appears to violate the principle of “lepton universality”, which is part of the Standard Model of particle physics. The measurement has been made at a statistical significance of 3.1σ, which is well below the 5σ level that is usually considered a discovery. If the violation is confirmed, it could provide physicists with important clues about physics beyond the Standard Model – such as the existence of leptoquarks.
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