Year 10 Work Exp: Questions for University Placement

AI Thread Summary
A Year 10 student from North Yorkshire is seeking work experience at a university, specifically in the field of theoretical or particle physics. The student is unsure whether to apply to academic staff, teaching staff, or research professors. However, it is noted that securing a position to observe current research in particle physics is highly competitive, typically reserved for undergraduates, as many college students struggle to gain similar opportunities. The discussion emphasizes the importance of developing mathematical skills and gaining foundational knowledge before pursuing research roles. Recommendations include reading popular physics literature by authors like Brian Greene and Michio Kaku, and studying A-level physics to build expertise. The student expresses a desire to observe higher-level physics teaching as part of their experience.
Ryanzmw
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Hey, I'm a year 10 student at a grammar school in North Yorkshire and am planning to apply for work experience at a Univerisity, but I have a few questions:
Who should I apply to e.g. Academic staff, teaching staff, Emeritus & Research Professors or research staff.
And just so you know I would like ideally to be in a placement where I would be able to observe current research into theoretical or particle physics.
 
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It would be incredibly difficult to have a position in which you'd be able to consistently observe current particle physics research. That's a position that many undergrad college students would love to have. Most college students would only be able to have data type positions or something basically involving crunching preliminary numbers, so for a high school student to be able to observe current research...that seems very unlikely. You have to think about it like this: Any college student with interests in particle physics would love to hold a position like the one you described, yet many of them can't...what would give you an edge over such applicants?

Until you start gaining sufficient mathematical expertise, a research position is not going to happen. It's good that you have such a strong interest as a sophomore though. If I were you, I'd start reading popular physics books (Brian Greene, Michio Kaku, Stephen Hawking etc.)
 
I've read Parallel Worlds by Michio Kaku and am currently reading Hyperspace by Michio Kaku. I'm also trying to learn A.S. level physics with few resources. But anyway where do you think I should apply then? I would also like to see higher level physics being taught.
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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