Why volunteer?
The IOP Limit Less Report uncovered core reasons for the lack of diversity in the physics community, from underrepresentation from certain groups, to misconceived ideas of what a career in physics actually looks like. The report revealed that young people from the most financially deprived backgrounds are the least likely to study physics at A Level, girls are significantly less likely to study physics at A Level than boys across the country, and that young people of Black Caribbean descent are most underrepresented in the subject.
To address the current situation and empower young people from under-represented groups to consider careers in physics, the consortium behind Planet Possibility are encouraging the physics community to engage and connect with young people through various volunteering opportunities.
STEM Truck Activity
The Blair Project is a trailblazing social enterprise based in Manchester that taps into the climate change activism of the younger generation by providing opportunities for them to participate in the green tech revolution. As a black-led organisation, the Blair Project specialises in supporting BAME youth enter into STEM fields.
“We require volunteers to help out with the delivering of our STEM truck activity days across schools and youth organisations across Manchester. Our STEM truck is a van we converted into a mobile workshop that delivers engaging and entertaining activities that make Physics accessible and relatable for young people. You will help set up and help out with interactive activities, including connecting a basic electrical circuit, constructing a wind tunnel and running a science quiz. Some of the activities would require a decent knowledge of Physics, so our preference would be for volunteers to have that.”
This is a great opportunity to give something tangible back to the local community, whilst improving their communication and presenting skills - and deepening their knowledge of science.
Location: All over the UK
Expenses: Travel expenses covered
To find out more, get in touch: info@theblairproject.org
@getmemotoring The Blair Project's STEM outreach activities at Fully Charged Live North 2023 with #PlanetPossibility | #fullycharged #fullychargedshow #reddwarf #kryten #ev #electric #stem #science #harrogate #north #electriccar #gokart #gokarting #gokartingforlife #ekart #ekarting ♬ Summertime
Join the Infinity Network
Future First develops alumni networks across state schools in the UK and is delivering a programme of work around physics and physics careers wrapped into it, along with teacher CPD on how to deliver a physics curriculum that invigorates and excites young people.
Connect with and inspire young people from all over the UK with the Future First Infinity Network. With this safeguarded digital platform, you can fill out your profile, answer questions about your career and offer words of advice and encouragement, demonstrating the diversity of pathways and careers there are in physics. Once signed up, you can also discover ongoing volunteering opportunities, including getting involved with school events, answering questions, and taking part in career spotlight interviews. There is no set time commitment or activities you have to complete, it’s completely up to you.
Location: Online
Create TikTok content
We require volunteers to participate in the filming of science related Tik Tok videos. We are releasing weekly minute long Physics based videos, which are either short experiments which young people can do at home or narrations about concepts of Physics or historical figures that may not be widely known. Volunteers will be carrying out experiments on camera; recording narrations using provided scripts; helping out filming; and helping out with editing the videos afterwards. We’re looking for people who are engaging, articulate and good in front of the camera.
Location: Manchester
Expenses: Travel expenses covered
To find out more, get in touch: info@theblairproject.org
@getmemotoring Spinning raw and boiled eggs! @Samantha #PlanetPossibility | #Easter #easteregg #eastereggs #easterbunny #eastereggchallenge #goodfriday #experiment #physics #science #stem #egg #eggs #eggchallenge ♬ Rockin' Easter Bunny Instrumental
Present online physics club
We require volunteers to present our online physics club to school STEM clubs or youth clubs. Our physics clubs are online safe spaces for young people to learn more about Physics by undertaking interactive and entertaining experiments and activities. They will be delivered online weekly for an hour via Zoom or Teams and we require people to present three or four classes. Volunteers would be required to have a reasonable knowledge of Physics and studied it to A Level standard, but it is not required that they are studying it for their degree.
This would be a great opportunity for someone to develop their presentation skills and further entrench their knowledge of physics.
Location: Online
To find out more, get in touch: info@theblairproject.org.uk
Take part in physics workshops in schools
From sharing your pathway from school to where you are now, to revealing all about your current job, join education charity Future First at a school or college near you, and help to break stereotypes around physics for young people. Future First Infinity workshops see a 69% increase in liking or loving physics. Led by a Future First Alumni Programme Manager, you will join other volunteers from the sector to take part in a wide range of activities, from demonstrating parts of your role, to taking part in careers carousels with students. Travel costs can be reimbursed up to £25. Once you’ve signed up to the Future First Infinity Network, you will be able to sign up for workshops at a school near you, maybe even at your old school.
Location: All over the UK + online
Expenses: Travel expenses covered
Sign up here to discover opportunities.
