Planet Possibility, the new drive to attract young people from under-represented groups to careers in physics in the UK, has launched its highly anticipated digital platform. PlanetPossibility.co.uk carries extensive content and other resources to support students and teachers in their physics journeys and showcases ways of inspiring young people from groups who traditionally don’t gravitate to physics.
Planet Possibility is a consortium made up of charities, universities and business funded by the Institute of Physics’ Challenge Fund. The activities undertaken by each consortium partner challenge some of the misconceptions and stereotypes that put some young people off physics. They also shake up what is currently on offer to provide compelling physics activities and engaging information about physics careers.
Underpinned by the bespoke digital platform, the consortium expands its reach through events, webinars, content, games, guides, jobs, mentoring and other channels to help create a flourishing physics community.
It addresses head-on the fact that some under-represented groups are denied the opportunity to study physics due to the prejudice and stereotypes that they experience because of who they are. Which are based on their gender, ethnicity, their sexual orientation, their disability or their social background. The IOP’s Challenge Fund was created to accelerate delivery of the IOP’s strategy, and Planet Possibility is the first Challenge Fund project to launch.
Planet Possibility Activity for under represented groups
Planet Possibility partners have launched projects and begun activity across a range of events, including:
- Launching an online Physics Careers Game aimed at young students
- Rolling out a range of online CPD sessions for physics teachers on a range of different subject and careers areas
- Making available on the Planet Possibility platform over 100 physics-based articles
- Visiting the Birmingham Quantum Physics Lab with Planet Possibility physics champions from the University of Birmingham
- Presenting at the WomenEd education conference
- Creating a series of Tik Tok physics videos
- Attendance by physics champions at events such as New Scientist live
- Facilitating virtual work experience placements for five undergraduates in physics-powered industries
- Working with The Lightyear Foundation to deliver a programme of work aimed at disabled young people..
The wide-ranging digital platform of activity has been created following the award of £1.9m from the IOP’s Challenge Fund. To help deliver its strategic aim of improving the diversity as well as the number of young people doing physics.
Consortium partners
The consortium partners who make up Planet Possibility include the University of Southampton, the University of Birmingham, the Blair Project, Future First and AllAboutGroup. They boast vast experience in the areas of diversity, inclusion, engaging with young people, STEM and physics.
“Planet Possibility is significantly enhancing the reach and impact of the IOP’s work and aims to improve diversity within the physics community. The innovative digital platform can only serve to make their message reach and inspire more people along the way.”
IOP Director of Science, Innovation and Skills Louis Barson
“We are thrilled that Planet Possibility is now underway, with our web platform inspiring students, teachers and parents everywhere, opening up a world of possibilities in physics. With activities happening up and down the country, in schools, universities, workplaces and online, Planet Possibility is gaining momentum and reaching out more widely, and we look forward to an exciting future, supporting young people on their journey in physics.”
Planet Possibility Chair Christina Astin
The Planet Possibility platform is where people can find out more about the Planet Possibility programme for under-represented groups.
https://www.planetpossibility.co.uk
Featured by Asians UK – Engage the British Asian Communities.
- The Ultimate Test of Trust and Treachery The Traitors Card Game.
- Asians UK partner with the Evening Standard’s SME XPO
- Dubai received 14 million international visitors in 2022
- Maldives Summer Holiday Family Fun
- Slide into Family Fun on the UK’s Longest Mega Slide