As Programme Manager for Physics Mentoring I am proud to share the highlights and successes of the last academic year 2023 – 24. This bumper-filled evaluation not only includes an evaluation of our core GCSE project but also introduces everyone to our new alternative routes project and a school case study, with a returning school. The last academic year was particularly busy because we also launched and piloted our new A-level physics mentoring project and continued work towards our alternative routes project. With so many different projects linked to the same overall goal, to engage more people in physics. We became known as the Physics Mentoring Programme with three projects:
- Growing Connections – Our core GCSE project
- Advanced Connections – Our new A level project, which has just launched it’s second cohort.
- Exploring Connections – Our newest budding project about apprenticeships using physics-related skills.
For this reason we also expanded our team and welcomed our new Social Media and Events Officer, Jade Fourarce-Reynolds into the physics mentoring team. Along with our new mascots Jocelyn Bear Burnell and Vera Ru-Bear. You can find them supporting the programme and getting up to mischief along the way over on our social media.
Turning to our annual evaluation, primarily focused on the Growing Connections project highlights for this 2023 – 24 year included:
- 6.4% increase amongst mentees indicating “definitely will” take Physics at A-level post mentoring;
- 10% increase amongst mentors indicating “probably will” take Physics at A-level post;
- 5.5% increase in mentees wanting to pursue a science career.
Our training weekend at the beginning of this academic year was also revamped with more of a focus on the practical elements of mentoring. For example, how to run a good session and the development of relationships, with the theoretical framework supporting that. For this training we also collaborated with Diverse Cymru to lead on inclusion and diversity for the first time. Our evaluation shows that these changes have been a success with mentors noting that they are more aware of inclusion and equity. Plus, the mentors feel that they know how to build and make meaningful connections to the mentees. To read the evaluation report in full, click here.
The evaluation also included a case studies for a returning school and for the event for the Exploring Connections project.
The schools case studies was conducted with a long-time partner school of the programme who have participated in Growing Connections since 2022 and more recently Advanced Connections. The biggest and unexpected highlight of this case study shows that the mentees are now acting as mentors to the other students in their science lessons. The mentees are developing crucial practical skills with the mentors and are more confident in lessons. As a result, these mentees are now assisting and helping/teaching their peers in class. Click here for the full report.
Our Exploring Connections is also positive. At this event the school students took part in hands-on activities with local STEM employers and had the opportunity to talk to apprentices about their journey and why they opted for this alternative route. The study shows that the students loved the event and liked all the activities on offer. Plus, the STEM employers enjoyed the event and wish to work with Physics Mentoring on more events in this style in the future. Interested in reading more, click here.
All of these positive outcomes and expansions would not be possible without all of the amazing, dedicated people contributing to Physics Mentoring. We are lucky to have a dedicated team to push the programme onwards. However, if it wasn’t for our passionate and incredible team of mentors who go out to all of our partner schools in-person or virtually, none of this would be possible. Finally, a big thank you to all the partner schools we work with facilitating the mentoring and the STEM employers contributing to the Exploring Connections event. I’d also like to extend a thanks to Creo Skills and Diverse Cymru for supporting with our training and On Data Research for continuing to evaluate all aspects of the programme.
