About this day
For A level and IB students
Join us for an exciting day of informative discussions, interactive sessions and inspirational stories that will give your students real insight into the world of physics beyond the classroom. Our experienced speakers are keen to share their expertise on a wide range of topics, from quantum computing to planetary science.
The day will also include a special session on examination success designed to provide students with the tools that they need to excel. With polls and quizzes throughout the day and plenty of opportunities to ask the scientists questions, this event is a must for KS5 physics students! Book now for Physics in Action!
Host: Greg Foot (Science Presenter and Communicator)
“Wonderful venue, excellent atmosphere! Our pupils were very engaged with all of the talks”
Physics Teacher, March 2023
Programme & speakers
Deep Ocean Lab Greg Foot, Science Presenter and Communicator
What happens as you dive further and further into the dark ocean? Join Greg Foot for the story of his scientific adventure into the deep. Greg will welcome you into the high-tech submersible that took him to the crushing pressure of the Twilight Zone. From there you’ll dive even further and come face to face with a real creature from the deep!
About Greg Foot
Greg is a Science Journalist who has been writing, hosting & producing science content for 15+ years across TV, Radio, YouTube, Podcast, & Stage. He currently writes & hosts his popular BBC 4 show and podcast Sliced Bread and is a regular on BBC Morning live.
The quantum computing race Nic Harrigan, Physicist, PsiQuantum
Computing forever changed what we are capable of as a species: from arguing across the world, to making Harry Potter fashionable. But equally important applications remain fundamentally impossible for traditional computers. I will explain how quantum computers can change this, and how teams from every corner of the planet are racing to build one.
About Dr Nic Harrigan
With over 15 years exploring the mysteries of quantum mechanics and quantum computing, Nic is only a little less confused than he used to be… Along the way he’s become adept at explaining the bizarre finer details, and how they might help find solutions to otherwise impossible problems.
Nuclear hide-and-seek: detecting radiation Caroline Shenton-Taylor, Applied Nuclear Physicist, University of Surrey
If you are searching for hidden nuclear material, you must balance finding the radioactive source whilst keeping yourself safe. In this talk, Caroline will explore how artificial intelligence is changing the way we can detect radiation.
About Dr Caroline Shenton-Taylor
Caroline is an applied nuclear physicist, sitting at the interface between industry and academia. Her team specialise in neural networks, artificial intelligence and novel methods, addressing challenges in nuclear security, nuclear decommissioning and medicine. Winner of UK Famelab 2014, she regularly speaks at festivals, on radio and YouTube (Dr CST).
Unveiling Martian Secrets – Tales from the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers Sanjeev Gupta, Imperial College London
Embark on a captivating journey to the Red Planet as we delve into the fascinating realm of Martian exploration. Discover how we direct our robotic pioneers to navigate the Martian terrain, scouring the surface for long-lost environments that may have once nurtured the formation of life. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)
About Professor Sanjeev Gupta
Sanjeev researches environmental change on planetary surfaces over geological timescales. He is currently working on NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers where his role is to reconstruct what the martian surface was like billions of years ago and to search for evidence of past life.
Fusion Energy: The Power of the Future Leah Morgan, Project Engineer and Science Communicator
Have you ever wondered how the sun shines? Are you interested in new kinds of green energy? Join us as we delve into the remarkable world of fusion energy engineering, where scientists are revolutionizing our global energy landscape by trying to build a star in a doughnut.
About Leah Morgan
Leah Morgan is a project engineer and science communicator working in fusion energy research at the UK Atomic Energy Authority. She makes science and engineering videos on her YouTube channel Leah Morgan and gives talks all about the energy of the future!