Course dates: 20th – 21st November 2024

Closing Date: 25 October 2024

Applying for this course is no longer possible as the closing date has passed.

Please email us at enquiries@sserc.scot if you would still like to register your interest.

Audience

School Technical Support Staff. Access to this unit will be at the discretion of the centre, but it is recommended that learners have undergone Introductory Physics first.

Rationale

This course forms part of a suite of competency based CLPL for support staff.

Course Leader

Norman Bethune
01383 626070
norman.bethune@sserc.scot

Cost

£240

Funding

None available

Outcomes

Outcome 1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding related to school physics laboratory equipment and its safe use.

  • Safety procedures and good working practices
  • Identify common physics equipment and apparatus.
  • Show competence in carrying out experiments using a variety of apparatus

Outcome 2

Demonstrate understanding of setting up equipment, measuring techniques and basic fault finding.

  • Show competence in setting up the equipment.
  • Accurately interpret and record measurements.
  • Demonstrate competence in basic fault finding techniques

Why Should You Attend?

Further your knowledge on safety procedures and good working practices for advanced physics equipment.

Programme

Day 1

9:30   Introduction. Programme, assessment, resources.

9:45   Health and Safety in Physics. Focussing on areas that are largely unique to physics.

10:15  Demonstrations: –

  • The gas laws
  • Working with lasers
  • Ultraviolet light
  • Circuits revisited

Set-ups are demonstrated in the lab.

11:00  Break

11:30   Practical Session. Delegates have a chance to work together trying out activities for themselves.

12:45   Lunch

13:45   Demonstrations + Practical Session

  • Teltron tubes
  • Discharge lamps (spectral lamps)
  • Using vacuum pumps and bell jars
  • Detecting radiation

Set-ups are demonstrated, then delegates have a chance to try them for themselves.

15:15 – 15:30      Plenary session, “homework” issued.

Day 2                                                                            

9:30   Practice questions and discussion. Classroom style discussion session

10:45  Break

11:15   Practical assessment. Single set up from the demonstrations witnessed

12:45  Lunch

13:45  Written assessment

Following the written assessment, delegates who wish to re-attempt one or more of the practical activities may do so.

15:15 – 15:30  Evaluation and Close

Commitment

Attend on 2 days and undergo both written and practical assessment.

The course will be held at SSERC in Dunfermline. Our SSERC buildings are at 2 Pitreavie Court, Dunfermline, KY11 8UU. SSERC is a short (5-10 minutes) walk from Rosyth railway station and close to the end of the A823(M) spur off Junction 2 of the M90 motorway. Car journey times (approximately): Edinburgh – 30 min; Glasgow – 60 min; Aberdeen – 2.5 hours; Inverness – 3 hours.