The Physics Mentoring Programme aims to increase the uptake of Physics post-16 in Wales and improve pupils’ attitudes towards science, by training university students to mentor school and college pupils.
Notoriously, physics is perceived to be a difficult subject. Students and parents often struggle to see the benefits of the subject, including transferable skills and possible careers. The award-winning Physics Mentoring Programme aims to tackle this, in order to ultimately contribute to the future economy and prosperity in Wales.
Physics Mentoring believes:
- Physics is relevant to all lives and should be available to all who wish to engage with it, regardless of background, protected characteristics, or academic ability.
- Physics skills can increase a person’s belonging in society, increase economic benefit and lead to an immeasurable number of careers in a wide variety of fields.
Read more about the aims of the programme, how we have achieved them, and how we plan to continue building on our achievements.
The programme has three branch projects to encourage young people to take physics post-16:
Mentoring Year 9-11 Pupils
In Wales, there is an ongoing lower uptake of Physics as an A-level qualification when compared to the other STEM subjects. In 2022-23, only 23% of STEM A-level entries were for Physics. Additionally, there is a distinct lack of girls studying physics compared to biology or chemistry at A-level – only 22% of physics entries are girls.
The Growing Connections project delivers near-peer mentoring to small groups of Year 9 – 11 pupils in schools across Wales with the aim of increasing Physics A-level uptake (specifically the uptake of girls). Mentors are undergraduate and postgraduate students from partner institutions, and sessions are based on the Science Capital Teaching Approach.
The project which builds on the successes of the award-winning Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Mentoring Scheme, is delivered collaboratively by eight universities: Aberystwyth University, Bangor University, Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, the Open University, Swansea University, University of South Wales, and Wrexham University. It is funded by the Welsh Government and these partner institutions, and is fully supported by the Minister for Education, Jeremy Miles.
Mentoring A-level Physics Pupils
Advanced Connections is a year-long, free online tutoring and mentoring opportunity for Year 12 students studying Physics in Wales. This pilot project is being led by the programme in collaboration with Aberystwyth, Cardiff, and Swansea Universities.
Advanced Connections runs alongside students’ A-level studies. Students will receive academic tutorials that support the A-level curriculum, as well as mentoring sessions that provide information about applying, preparing for, and experiencing university.
The Advanced Connections project aims to benefit A-level students by:
- Supporting mentees to achieve the grades needed to study physics and physics related subjects at university.
- Giving mentees the opportunity to be meet university students from different universities across Wales.
- Providing support and information on how to apply for university and prepare for university life.
This pilot project has been kindly funded by Tony Hill, who supports Levelling Up: STEM in England.
Encouraging Alternative Routes into Physics
Exploring Connections is a brand new pilot project focusing on alternative routes into physics and STEM, continuing to make physics relevant to school students’ lives. This project has hosted some STEM Careers Events, inviting local STEM employers to work with GCSE-aged students in hands-on activities.
Looking to the future of Exploring Connections, the team are preparing to produce a short video about being an apprentice in STEM.
Statistics below are taken from StatsWales
