The Physics Teaching Podcast

Latest Podcasts

  • Particle Theory of Matter

    Particle Theory of Matter

    Whilst Robin is off on a vigilante mission to rescue his partner, stranded by English Public transport, Rosie and Thomas have a jolly catch-up about supporting physics students with extra-curricular projects and finding work experience placements. They also explore ways to teach the Particle Theory of matter and its related topics such as density and the gas laws. Interestingly there seem to be many Space related stories linking to this topic, allowing teachers to link the curriculum to careers and real-life stories.

    Links:

    Join in!

    Please share ideas or successes – or indeed questions by messaging us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/physicstp.bsky.social .  You can also message us via our website contact form on every page of the web site at  the.physicsteachingpodcast.com, or email using the address given in the podcast (if we remember). We are moving away from X but can be found there as @physicstp.

    Music

    The music is used under the Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License

  • All good things…

    Tomorrow our last regular podcast, “Particle Theory of Matter” goes live. And we just recorded “The Last Episode”, which I’m afraid is going to be 140th and last episode of The Physics Teaching Podcast. It will be released on Thursday 19th June.

    It has had a good run, 7 years and 140 regular episodes covering everything from balloons to buoyancy to black boxes and black holes and more besides. All good things come to an end, and this feels like the right time to place the final full stop.

    It has been a blast and such a privilege to work with Robin and Rosie and the countless guests who have been so informative and generous with their time. Special thanks to Rosie who gave the podcast one last year, doing all the heavy lifting this year having started in September with no experience of making a podcast at all.

    Thank you too to the many many teachers who emailed us with their thank you and support and ideas. Thank you for staying to the very end. You, dear listeners are, as ever, the real heroes.

    Thomas

  • Revising Physics with Key Stage 3 (ages 10-14)

    Revising Physics with Key Stage 3 (ages 10-14)

    Dear listener, the stars have aligned! Thomas, Robin, and Rosie—have managed to gather together as a trio to share their arsenal of revision techniques for Key Stage 3.

    Brace yourself for a whirlwind tour through their best tools and techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or a wide-eyed trainee, we hope there is something fresh to take away. Expect mind-maps, plasticine and mighty Tarsia puzzles that are guaranteed to spark joy and problem-solving prowess in equal measure.

    Links:

    Join in!

    Please share ideas or successes – or indeed questions by messaging us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/physicstp.bsky.social .  You can also message us via our website contact form on every page of the web site at  the.physicsteachingpodcast.com, or email using the address given in the podcast (if we remember). We are moving away from X but can be found there as @physicstp.

    Music

    The music is used under the Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License

  • Modelling Electricity with Ben Rogers

    Modelling Electricity with Ben Rogers

    With Thomas still away on his travels, Rosie and Robin take the opportunity to catch up on all that’s been happening. Robin spills the beans on some new tips and tricks he’s picked up at his new school. Think hands-on modelling for sixth form—it’s practical, fun, and downright genius!

    We’ve also got a special treat for you—a guest appearance from none other than Ben Rogers, a brilliant friend of the podcast! Ben dives into his fascinating research on introducing primary school children to models for electricity, a topic that’s notoriously tricky but oh-so-important

    Links:

    Ben Rogers New Book – Primary Science in a Nutshell

    Ben Rogers Book – The Big Ideas in Physics and How to teach them

    The rope loop model – GCSE physics online

    Sweets and cups model – Open University

    Energy Ball – For circuits using students

    PHET circuit builder

    Join in!

    Please share ideas or successes – or indeed questions by messaging us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/physicstp.bsky.social .  You can also message us via our website contact form on every page of the web site at  the.physicsteachingpodcast.com, or email using the address given in the podcast (if we remember). We are moving away from X but can be found there as @physicstp.

    Join in!

    Please share ideas or successes – or indeed questions by messaging us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/physicstp.bsky.social .  You can also message us via our website contact form on every page of the web site at  the.physicsteachingpodcast.com, or email using the address given in the podcast (if we remember). We are moving away from X but can be found there as @physicstp.

    Music

    The music is used under the Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License

  • Effective StoryTelling in Physics

    Effective StoryTelling in Physics

    Rosie and Robin finally get a chance to catch up—and let’s be honest, it’s long overdue! Meanwhile, Thomas has packed his bags for *another* holiday adventure, but not before sitting down with Richard Brock to discuss the art of storytelling in the classroom.

    Richard shares his wisdom on how stories, when used judiciously, can both enrich learning and bring joy to teaching. They’re the luxury treats that brighten the classroom narrative, but there’s a delicate balance—stories should enhance, not distract from, the core content.

    Tune in for insights, laughs, and a reminder of why storytelling is such an essential tool for education.

    Links

    Join in!

    Please share ideas or successes – or indeed questions by messaging us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/physicstp.bsky.social .  You can also message us via our website contact form on every page of the web site at  the.physicsteachingpodcast.com, or email using the address given in the podcast (if we remember). We are moving away from X but can be found there as @physicstp.

    Music

    The music is used under the Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License

  • The Magic of Physics

    The Magic of Physics

    As the final month of winter approaches in the UK, we all feel the need for a little something to keep our spirits lifted; so Rosie and Thomas explore the awe and wonder of magic, with a science spin.

    It was therefore a great pleasure to welcome special guest to the podcast , Matt Pritchard, from Science Magic Shows. His fabulous science shows are exactly the thing to enliven the school year and give students, and teachers, some new ideas about the fun of science.

    Alongside all this fun Rosie and Thomas also ruminate on the past fortnight with a focus on an alternative method to standing waves on a string and our own favourite teaching magic tricks.

    Links

    Join in!

    Please share ideas or successes – or indeed questions by messaging us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/physicstp.bsky.social .  You can also message us via our website contact form on every page of the web site at  the.physicsteachingpodcast.com, or email using the address given in the podcast (if we remember). We are moving away from X but can be found there as @physicstp.

    Music

    The music is used under the Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License

  • New Year’s Resolutions

    New Year’s Resolutions

    It’s January and hence what better time to talk about some teaching New Year Resolutions. Rosie talks about her three resolution areas:

    1) Teaching A-level exam technique

    2) Using AI

    3) Admin time savers for physics teachers

    To which Thomas W-P and our special guest to the podcast this week, Callum Farnsworth, provide some super ideas.

    Plus if you enjoy hearing from Callum in this episode then watch-out because he’ll be back soon to share more with us and the dear listener about his Ogden Senior fellowship project, called the PHET effect.

    Links

    Join in!

    Please share ideas or successes – or indeed questions by messaging us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/physicstp.bsky.social .  You can also message us via our website contact form on every page of the web site at  the.physicsteachingpodcast.com, or email using the address given in the podcast (if we remember). We are moving away from X but can be found there as @physicstp.

    Music

    The music is used under the Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License

  • Ogden Fellows and Seasonal Practicals

    Ogden Fellows and Seasonal Practicals

    We chat with Jed Marshall and Simon Poliakoff about being and Ogden Senior Teaching Fellow which leads on to fun things to do with classes at Christmas which are solidly physicsy.

    Thomas is a bit of a curmudgeon but grudgingly comes out with one he uses around fireworks night, but Jed and Rosie have some great ideas.

    Links

    Example Hologram film

    Join in!

    Please share ideas or successes – or indeed questions by messaging us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/physicstp.bsky.social .  You can also message us via our website contact form on every page of the web site at  the.physicsteachingpodcast.com, or email using the address given in the podcast (if we remember). We are moving away from X but can be found there as @physicstp.

    Music

    The music is used under the Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License

  • Easy and Fun Physics for Science Week

    Easy and Fun Physics for Science Week

    We talk to Ogden Partnership Coordinator Natasha Peachey who inspires us to think about Science Week 2025. Simon Poliakoff then joins us to give us some beautiful ideas for Physics activities.

    Links

    Thank you to Simon who sent these links

    Join in!

    Please share ideas or successes – or indeed questions by messaging us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/physicstp.bsky.social .  You can also message us via our website contact form on every page of the web site at  the.physicsteachingpodcast.com, or email using the address given in the podcast (if we remember). We are moving away from X but can be found there as @physicstp.

    Music

    The music is used under the Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License

  • A-Level Particles with Dr Ben Still

    A-Level Particles with Dr Ben Still

    We catch up with teacher and author Dr Ben Still to get tips on how to address Particles at A-Level.

    The podcast starts with the sad news that Robin is finding it impossible to make enough time for the podcast in his new job – he is stepping back for the time being and will contribute again when he feels he can. He actually joined to contribute to this episode in his 30 minutes of free time but then his internet died before he said a word. Sad times.

    Dr Ben Still worked with neutrinos on the T2K experiment before writing the lego book on Particle Physics and then seeing the light and going in to teaching. Like Thomas, Rosie has no background in Particle Physics and had a few questions for Ben which he was kind enough to answer.

    Links

    Join in!

    Please share ideas or successes – or indeed questions by messaging us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/physicstp.bsky.social .  You can also message us via our website contact form on every page of the web site at  the.physicsteachingpodcast.com, or email using the address given in the podcast (if we remember). We are moving away from X but can be found there as @physicstp.

    Music

    The music is used under the Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License