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MSc Physics

Explore an overview of MSc Physics' involvement with the Community Engaged Learning Programme at NTU.

About MSc Physics

Students on MSc Physics learn to communicate their skills and experience to a broad audience and make physics topics in physics accessible to all. They present their understanding of topics to audiences through techniques, which can include vlogging, infographics, patents, apps, outreach experiments, and articles in the style of ‘The Conversation’, a network of non-profit media outlets.

Project details

Each year, our physics students engage in a dynamic Science Communication Project, emphasising the dissemination of scientific research in the digital age and mutually benefitting a local organisation.

Working with clients from various sectors, including academic institutions, public organisations, and the third sector, students create impactful content to effectively communicate scientific topics relevant to the organisation to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

You will collaborate with a dedicated team of (approx.) 5 students, presenting them with a detailed brief outlining your communication objectives. To ensure the project aligns with your vision, occasional brief meetings will be arranged either online or in person at your
convenience, allowing you to provide guidance and feedback throughout the process.

Students benefit by gaining real-life experience in a community setting and working on a client brief, and the organisation gains students with physics expertise for a relevant project.

Examples of previous projects

  • Developing the science museum exhibits for the public at Green’s Mill
  • Running science workshops for Primary school children for the Festival of Science and Curiosity
  • Raising Awareness for Sherwood observatory on campus and in town
  • Running astronomy workshops for those from low socio-economic backgrounds in Mansfield Library
  • Giving public talks and demonstrations at Sherwood Observator

Indicative timeline and what’s involved

April – September 2026 – Complete the Community Engaged Learning Project Proposal Form. A member of the Community Engagement and Volunteering Team can support you with this.

September 2026 – Attend a Project Co-creation Workshop held at NTU. This will allow you to spend time with Academic Teams to fine-tune your project proposals, ready to introduce to students.

End of November 2026 - Students will be introduced to project options. It would be fantastic if you were able to come to campus (Clifton) and introduce your project to our students. We do understand that time is tight, so if you are unable to attend in person, we could either facilitate this session as a Teams call or you could prerecord a short introductory video; again, we can support you with this!

November 2026 to January 2027 – Meet with the students, academic staff and the Community Engagement and Volunteering Team throughout the project (approx. once a week) to ensure all is going to plan.

February 2027 – Feedback with the module team to inform them on how the project went and any positives or improvements for future years. This information will be anonymised and used in student reflection for all groups.

Hear from our academics

The science communication module is about getting students from diverse backgrounds to show their enthusiasm for science to people whom they can have an amazing impact on. It builds their skills, their civic-mindedness, and most of all their creativity. It also provides an outlet for positive mental wellbeing activities and helps the local community.

Ian Whittaker – Senior Lecturer, Physics and Maths