1. Gareth Jones - San Feliu 07 Maria Celeste do Carmo: Aveiro, Portugal Hay Geurts: Nijmegen, Netherlands Maria Ebel: Technical University Vienna, Austria Ovidiu Caltun: Iasi, Romania Gareth Jones: Imperial College London, UK (coach) Report Thematic Group 5 part 2 School-University Interface in Physics Introduction

2. Mind the Gap! – Why worry about the school-university interface? University physicists believe that new students are not as good as they used to be and a gap has arisen –Knowledge (of both Physics & Maths) –Ability (particularly problem solving in physics using maths) –Attitude to study Recruitment Worries –Fewer students choosing physics in school? –Reduction in applications to physics at university? Bologna Process should take account of interface (EQF) Reasons for Gap –Changes in school curriculum –Lack of physics teachers - teacher training system?

3. Key questions regarding school physics Have numbers fallen? Have standards fallen? Is Physics less popular in school? If so, why? Case Study of situation in England & Wales: –Last two years at school are specialised –A levels (e.g. Physics, Maths, Chemistry, …) –Changes in curriculum –Different types of schools 'The next two slides are taken from a 2006 report by Smithers and Robinson Physics in Schools and Universities: Patterns and Policies http://www.buckingham.ac.uk/education/research/ceer/publications.html ' http://www.buckingham.ac.uk/education/research/ceer/publications.html

4. Trend in number of students taking Physics at A- level in England & Wales compared with total exam entries

5. A-Level Physics as Percentage of Age Group