SOPHia Project Newsletter
What is the SOPHia Project?
The SOPHia project (‘Science outreach for promoting physics’) aims to encourage Junior Cycle or Transition Year students to study physics as one of their Senior Cycle subjects, with the hopes of narrowing the gender gap.
Research indicates that attitudes about physics are formed from a young age. In response to this, we also visit primary school students to encourage a passion for science, through the joy of experimentation and lively interactive workshops.
SOPHia Project Outreach Events
The project runs school workshops and demonstrations, community projects, provides science kits and summer camps, teacher showcase events and training, as well as student project competitions at a primary and secondary level.
Last January, the annual Poster Competition Award Ceremony was held in the Bernal Institute and sponsored by Ei Electronics. Primary and secondary students presented their research, carried out experiments, and heard ‘Journey in science’ talks from PhD students, as well as alumni from Regeneron, Ei, and Johnson & Johnson.
Last April, we had a full day stand & half page ad in the conference booklet at the ‘Irish Science Teachers Association Conference 2023’ at TUS. We spoke to parents, student teachers, experienced teachers, and industry experts. 30 additional schools signed up to our mailing list for workshops and competitions.
Throughout the year, we travel to schools to present workshops. Students are shown what physics is and how it is part of our everyday lives. Students are invited to take part in experiments while our facilitators teach them about the physics behind it. We also give a spotlight to lesser-known physicists and the work they achieved. The over-arching message of these workshops is that the field of physics is varied and welcome to all with a passion for curiosity.
SOPHia Project social media:
Follow us on Twitter: @SOPHiaPhysics
Our website: http://sophiaphysics.ie/
Get in touch: sophiaphysicsproject@gmail.com
