Mister T said:
Choose a college with a physics department that is actively involved in Physics Education Research (PER). Start reading up on contributions made to PER. Read journals like the American Journal of Physics (AJP) and The Physics Teacher (TPT) to learn about the contributions to PER; who's making them and where. This will help you in your selection of, and admission to, colleges.
Oh. That makes sense. Sure, I will! Thank you for the advice.
robphy said:
Have you spoken with the physics teachers at your school?
They may have some insight into some of what you are experiencing in your school.
Do you have friends at other high-schools with a more-active physics community?
Maybe they can offer some further insight.
I spoke to my teacher a couple months ago - she basically said she didn't really know. I have a different teacher next year though: maybe he will offer some insight.
As for other schools... as far as I can tell from asking friends who go to those schools... they all experience the same problem: a lack in enthusiasm for physics. From what they tell me, "everyone hates physics". I genuinely don't think there are any other schools in the area with a more active physics community...
robphy said:
How organized are the other communities (e.g. Biology and Math) in your school?
Faculty support (for guidance)? School funding (for events)? Alumni support (alumni that return to recruit)?
Nearby university and industrial support (for recruitment, like summer camps and internships)?
Take the example of maths, which our school is BIG on:
-> Multiple clubs for different ages, some which teach Olympiad maths (and are lead by a teacher who has marked the IMO before) and some which are for students and teachers to give talks on niche/specific maths things which interest them. These clubs are really popular, to the point where toher clubs try not to run on the same day as maths club because they know lots of people will be in maths club.
-> Every student in our school has to take the UK Maths Olympiad that's made for their age (e.g. Year 7 and Year 8 will take the Junior Maths Challenge) and top set have to take the level for the age bracket above as well
-> Funding for maths-based events, such as funding for maths teams to go and compete (and often win - because kids are keen about maths) national maths competitons
-> Maths surgery for kids who struggle so that they can improve at their maths
-> Multiple opportunities to participate in Olympiads/Competitons even if you're not yet at the age where said Olympiad would be taken, no matter your skill level
->Occassionally external lectures (usually from Cambridge University) coming in to talk about maths
Biology and Chemistry have less than this, but nonetheless much more support than physics. They look something like this:
-> 3 general clubs, one for Y7 and Y8, one for Y9, Y10 and Y11, and one for Y12 and Y13. All the clubs would have staff running them, and enough students to fill the lab. Usually they do practicals - for biology this is usually some kind of dissection. And if not a practical, then it's a student giving some sort of talk about some area they're passionate about.
-> more specific clubs, such as Vetinary society, Medical Society, and NeuroSoc each with their own staff and student base
-> Olympiad opportunities at least 4-5 times a year, for the whole school
-> Particularly for Medical, guest speakers and experienced professionals to come in and give lectures.
-> Biology/Chemistry surgery to help kids who struggle with the subject to get their grades up
Physics looks like this:
-> One club, with no staff, run by two sixth formers (only one of which who actually shows up) are sort of just doing it just so that they can put "I ran physics club" on their CV. Maybe 2-5 attendees per week (one of which is always me) - give or take.
-> Physics surgery to help kids who are struggling. General rule of thumb is that <40% on your physics test and you get sent by your teacher to surgery. This one is packed.
-> Opportunity to do the physics challenge/Olympiad for your age group - maybe. And if you want to do one for the age older than you, you have to ask really, really nicely. And then prove that you will actually do somewhat well and aren't just claiming you can do a physics olympiad for people older than you.
robphy said:
Physics delayed until the 12th grade may also contribute to the lack of enthusiasm you see.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics_First is an approach that tries to change this.
I haven't followed this to know how successful it is.
Not here: in Britian you have to learn it in Y10 and Y11 (so grade 9 and 10) and for most schools (like ours) physics education starts from Year 7 (grade 6).
robphy said:
Ah potentially! Looks cool - I will look into it when my Internet is less... weird.
Muu9 said:
In the UK, where OP is, all sciences are learned in 9th and 10th grade. OP's teachers are also test focused.
Exactly.
My last physics teacher encouraged me not to study physics in my own time lest I ruin my GCSE grades by studying too far ahead...
The one I have next year is less test- focused: I've had him teach me before and he's a bit more open to me studying ahead and was happy to answer my questions. Maybe I'll have a bit more luck there.
.