Physics problem solving masterclass with the Isaac Physics Team

Interested in Physical Natural Sciences at Cambridge?

Lucy Cavendish College and the Isaac Physics team will be running a free 1 day online masterclass for UK students in year 12 (or equivalent) on the 1st June 2021. By attending the event it is hoped that students will:

• Improve their knowledge and understanding of key Physics topics: Mechanics and Electricity
• Strengthen their problem solving skills
• Learn more about making a competitive application to the Physical Natural Sciences course at Cambridge

Programme overview

The academic focus of the programme will be on solving physics problems related to Mechanics and Electricity.  Students will receive Isaacs Physics problems prior to the masterclass to work through independently, before taking part in a mini-lecture and problem-solving workshop on each of these topics. Students should come away with a strengthened understanding of these topics and a greater ability to solve physics problems. 

Students will also receive introductory pre-recorded material on the University of Cambridge prior to the session. The workshop’s final session will build on this knowledge by focusing on more specific information about applying to Physical Natural Sciences at Cambridge. This will include information about how to prepare for the Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment.

The current timetable is below:

Session	Time
09.45-10.20	Begin logging onto the webinar and trying Isaac Physics problems for the day
10.20-10.30	Welcome and introduction
10.30-10.40	Mini lecture on mechanics
10.40-11.30	Problem solving lecture on mechanics
11.30-11.40	Break
11.40-12.15	Further problem solving exercises on mechanics
12.15-13.00	Lunch break
13.00-13.20	Mini lecture on electricity
13.20-14.30	Problem solving workshop on electricity
14.30-14.45	Break
14.45-15.45	Admissions talk on Natural Sciences at Cambridge and practice at the Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA)

 

Who can attend this event?

In order to be eligible for this event students must be:

• Attending a non-fee paying UK school
• In year 12 (or equivalent)
• Studying at least 2 Science/Maths subjects at A-level (or equivalent). Please note we do not consider Psychology to fall into this category.
• Achieved 8/9s in all maths and science subjects taken at GCSE (or equivalent).

We are able to offer up to 500 places for this event. In the case of oversubscription, the following criteria will be used:

• In care or care-experienced
• Are eligible for free school meals
• Belong to an underrepresented ethnic group:
  • Black African or Black Caribbean
  • Pakistani or Bangladeshi
  •  Roma, Gypsy or Traveller
• Have experienced disruption in their education such as:
  • Being a young carer
  • Being an asylum seeker or refugee
• Attend a school with low progression to Oxbridge
• Are resident in areas with relatively low participation in higher education (using POLAR4) or in areas with less advantaged socioeconomic characteristics (using IMD).

Students will need a smart device (phone, tablet or laptop) to access the Masterclass. They will need to download the Zoom client app and should have a calculator, pen and paper available to use on the day.

How can I apply for a place on this masterclass?

Please complete this online for to apply for a place by no later than 5pm on the 10th May: https://cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_37Xku7dZkeQ8dkW

We will aim to confirm places and send introductory resources by the 17th May. Should you be offered a place then the confirmation email will contain a registration link to the webinar, links to the introductory Isaac Physics lectures  that you need to complete before the masterclass, and a video on Cambridge admissions by the Lucy Cavendish Admissions Officer Caitlin Law. We will also ask you to confirm your place and postal address so we can send you two very useful, free, guides to solving Physics problems.

If you have any questions or concerns then do not hesitate to contact our Outreach officer Caitlin Law on outreach@lucy.cam.ac.uk