Black-and-white close-up portrait photograph of Elsie MacGill, the pioneering Canadian aeronautical engineer known as the “Queen of the Hurricanes.” Shown from the shoulders up, she has short, wavy light hair, wears thin round wire-rimmed glasses, and a light collared blouse under a darker jacket, looking slightly toward the camera with a calm, neutral expression against a plain studio background.

Elsie MacGill was the first woman in the world to earn a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering (1929).

The "Queen of the Hurricanes" was a pioneering Canadian aircraft designer who led production of the Hawker Hurricane fighter planes during #WWII. She was born #OTD in 1905.

#WomenInSTEM

A reminder that selections for the Senior Physics Challenge summer school are based on a test this year.

In order to be invited to take the test, you need to join the SPC 2026 group, and complete the assignments with a score of at least 70% by 5pm on 1 April 2026: isaacscience.org/pages/spc#se...

The Science Teaching Survey 2026 is open! If you work in education, you know the challenges better than anyone – so we want to hear directly from you.

Take 15 minutes to complete the survey. Your answers will tell us what to focus on

schoolzone.questionpro.com/rc25f8?custo...

A great opportunity from the @iop.org
The 2026 Eureka Competition is now officially open!
❓How can physics help make your home ready for the future?
💡We can’t wait to see how young people use their creativity and physics knowledge to imagine the future of our homes.
theeurekas.co.uk

colourful poster celebrating international day of women and girls in science, with images of Dr Jo as a child and now.

It's #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience
Celebrating all those women who have come before me, and all those young scientists yet to come.
Here are some inspiring #STEMCareers resources for our youngest scientists:
drjosciencesolutions.co.uk/2022/02/08/i...
#ScienceIsEverywhere #DrJoScience

science icons with the text We are recruiting below

📢Still time to apply to join our SKPT team
Support the delivery of a growing physics CPD programme
👉Operations Officer (salary £30,000; deadline 9 Feb)
Find out more 👇
https://loom.ly/AWWdNRg

A group of people at a SKPT CPD session

📢Recruitment alert: deadline tomorrow- 9am
👉Senior Programme Manager (salary £40,000)
Join our SKPT team and support the delivery of a growing physics CPD programme
#TeacherSupport #MakingPhysicsMatter
Find out more 👇
https://loom.ly/AWWdNRg

We just had a great talk from @annaploszajski.bsky.social at #GCSEScienceLIVE about Materials and how she accidently got into Material Science.
Completely different to her previous talks but a perfect message for the GCSE students!

CLEAPSS is aware of an issue of Asbestos being present in a Hobbycraft sand based product.

This is a commercially available product rather than a specialist school science/DT product.

If you do have these products you should follow the advice below

www.gov.uk/product-safe...

Cats... not good on lab safety....

This is a pretty cool graphic from Ember, showing the percentage of new car sales that are electric in different countries.
Reducing the overall number of cars (& their size) is essential, but if they do exist they should be electric. We're well on the way! 🎉
ember-energy.org/latest-insig...

- Physics Partners Inspire your students to explore the fascinating world of physics by encouraging them to enter our exciting physics competition. After the success of our inaugural competition, we’re thrilled to be ru...

What Lights Up Your Love of Physics?’ Short Video Competition for Year 12 Students

There’s still time for Year 12 students to enter the Physics Partners short video competition, but the deadline (24 February 2026, 11:59 pm) is fast approaching!

physicspartners.com/competition/

With Wonyong Park and the ASE, we are running a survey on science teachers' use of research to inform teaching.

If you are a science teacher, please consider taking 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. Participants may opt into a prize draw.

southampton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Coal power generation falls in China and India for first time since 1970s ‘Historic’ moment in biggest coal-consuming countries could bring decline in global emissions, analysis says

This is huge: For the first time since the early 1970s, coal power generation has fallen in both China & India.

It undercuts claims that decarbonisation is pointless while they expand coal. Renewables are no longer just adding capacity — they’re displacing coal.

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Recruitment: SKPT - The Ogden Trust Apply now to join our SKPT programme team

📢Recruitment alert
Do you want to support the delivery of a nationwide physics CPD programme?
We are recruiting for 2 people to join our SKPT team
👉Senior Programme Manager
👉Operations Officer
Find out more 👇
https://loom.ly/AWWdNRg

I'm looking for some examples of whole class feedback as a response to written work in science. Are there any science teachers out there who have some examples that they would be willing to share? @cogscisci.bsky.social @chatbiology.bsky.social @chatchemistry.bsky.social @chatphysics.bsky.social

Timelapse footage shows a sea sponge sneezing YouTube video by Guardian News

The natural world is a wonderful place. This is timelapse video from a few years ago of a marine sponge sneezing. It has mucus inside that traps the sort of particles that might clog it up, and expels them in periodic contractions every 3-8 hours. Atchoo!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJqI...

Recruitment We are recruiting: Head of Teacher Support (fixed term contract, maternity cover, salary £48,000)

New year, new job?
Still time to apply - deadline Monday 5 January 9am
Head of Teacher Support (one-year fixed term, maternity cover); £48,000
A fantastic opportunity to join our team as we develop and deliver a growing portfolio of CPD and teacher support.
https://loom.ly/HkfqewY

Recruitment We are recruiting: Head of Teacher Support (fixed term contract, maternity cover, salary £48,000)

New year, new job?
We are recruiting!
Head of Teacher Support (one-year fixed term, maternity cover); £48,000
A fantastic opportunity to join our team as we develop and deliver a growing portfolio of CPD and teacher support.
https://loom.ly/HkfqewY

Optics Ambassador Scheme 2026 | King's College London Girls interested in physics can upskill in optics and learn how to share what they've learned with younger pupils

If you know any physics teachers or female Y12 students, please pass on this link to advertise the KCL Optics Ambassadors Scheme - an outreach programme to support girls' interest in optics and studying physics at university - applications are now open: www.kcl.ac.uk/events/optic...

Two books: Storm in a Teacup and Blue Machine

*cough* If you're gift shopping for anyone interested in how the world works, do consider these. Storm in a Teacup is all about the physics of everyday life and Blue Machine is all about how the ocean works - the water itself, which is the biggest story on Earth. Share the joy of nature & science!

For schools who hold radioactive sources and need to pay an external RPO to meet H+S rules (areas where CLEAPPS don't provide this service)
1) how much do you pay per year for this?
2) is it worth it?
3) how many schools have disposed of all sources due to costs?
4) A level RP if no sources?

For schools who hold radioactive sources and need to pay an external RPO to meet H+S rules (areas where CLEAPPS don't provide this service)
1) how much do you pay per year for this?
2) is it worth it?
3) how many schools have disposed of all sources due to costs?
4) A level RP if no sources?

Teacher of Physics & Science, Wiltshire - Tes Jobs The Corsham School, United Kingdom

Physics/Science teacher Job advertised for a lovely 11-18 school in Wiltshire, not far from Bath!
www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy...

Copper Sulfate

Wonderful crystals, dangerous blue or a 'power up' ???

We are getting an increasing number of emergency Helplines about Copper Sulfate.

Please see the latest details here : science.cleapss.org.uk

Maybe in the future.. there is a chance they will return!!

a man with a mustache is making a funny face and saying `` you 're at the right place '' ALT: a man with a mustache is making a funny face and saying `` you 're at the right place ''

It is getting close to 'Job Season' - that period where you are trying to find the right job in the right place at the right time
- whether it is Science or Physics we will try to promote jobs we see posted

a man in a suit and tie is giving a speech on physics ALT: a man in a suit and tie is giving a speech on physics

Shall we try this place where the sky is blue, rather than the place where they killed the little blue bird?

Teacher of Physics & Science, Wiltshire - Tes Jobs The Corsham School, United Kingdom

Physics/Science teacher Job advertised for a lovely 11-18 school in Wiltshire, not far from Bath!
www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy...

STEM Education Teacher Scholarship 2026-27 King's College London is pleased to offer the STEM Education Teacher Scholarship worth up to 70% of 13 students' tuition fees.

The Wipro MA STEM Education scholarships are now open for students starting the programme in September 2026.

STEM teachers working in state schools are eligible for the scholarships which cover 70% of fees.

For more information see: www.kcl.ac.uk/study-legacy...