Pupil Research Briefs – Physics Briefs

This Pupil Research Brief (PRB), designed by a team at the Centre for Science Education, supports the teaching and learning of physics at GCSE and Scottish Standard Grade levels. Each brief was targeted at a topic within the curriculum at the time. The study guide provides a structure to guide the students through the brief and includes sections entitled ‘Setting the scene’, ‘Syllabus targets’, ‘Route through the brief’ and ‘Outcome checklist’. Each topic is accompanied by a teachers' guide.

The briefs
• Green heating
Investigating how solar panels work.

• Green light
Researching and presenting information required on specific aspects of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and ordinary filament lamps, including costs and benefits, in preparation for an advertising campaign.

• Hunting the quark
Taking part in a selection process (as interviewer or interviewee) to choose a physicist to take up a research post to study the origin of the Universe.

• Light action
Surveying how lighting is used in school to find out how both energy and money can be saved. Producing and presenting a report on the findings.

• Motoroptics
Carrying out research into fibre optics and produce a report of your findings. Using the report to plan a presentation to a motor company explaining how the research could help with car designs.

• On air
Preparing a four-minute radio feature about ultrasound and its uses for a broadcast series. Using information from a variety of sources and conducting an interview with an 'expert' to prepare a script for the feature which will explain ultrasound to a non-scientific audience.

• PET scanners
Designing a poster for schools to help inform young people how PET Scanners work, and what they are used for. Producing some questions for students to accompany the poster.

• PHEPPS
Carrying out investigations to improve the design of a portable hydro-electric power plant (PHEPP). Looking at the environmental benefits and drawbacks of a range of different ways of producing electricity and writing a report.

• Project Rainbow
Carrying out research in school or college to find out what proportion of young people suffer from one or more common eye defects. Related to a real research project looking at the problems visually handicapped people face getting about in public buildings, and devising solutions to some of the problems.

• Radiation carriers
Working in a team to test the design of a container that can carry radioactive materials used in hospitals.

• Sound judgement
Finding out if classrooms in school have good acoustics. Learning how the ear works, carrying out several investigations similar to those done by real researchers and making recommendations about how to make improvements.

HEALTH and SAFETY
Any use of a resource that includes a practical activity must include a risk assessment. Please note that collections may contain ARCHIVE resources, which were developed at a much earlier date. Since that time there have been significant changes in the rules and guidance affecting laboratory practical work. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx7aj