The Institute’s suite of resources for schools planning to work towards gender balance.
The Institute of Physics have been working for many years on the issues surrounding the lack of uptake of physics at school, particularly by girls. The following resources are a result of that research and aim to help schools tackle gender inequity in the science classroom, in the whole school and in their associated primary and early year centres.
Register for the Whole school equality newsletter that contains practical advice and tips for creating a gender inclusive school environment.
The Action Guides provide ideas for tackling gender balance on a personal level, within the classroom, and at a whole school level.
These case studies describe some actions developed by practitioners.
These posters and postcards could be used to raise awareness around the school.
The PSHE lessons for S1-S5/ KS3-4 provide an introduction to gender stereotyping as well as giving students the tools for combatting their effects. Lessons can be used in PSHE, guidance, pastoral care or activities could be used in tutor time.
The In school workshops are a series of activities designed to help build confidence, with three main themes of success and failure, creativity and problem solving, and communication. They are intended to be used as part of the science ambassador - physics outreach scheme, but could equally be used for different student groups.
The classroom interactions template gives a framework for monitoring interactions with female and male students in the classroom.
This booklet provides an introduction to gender stereotypes and unconscious bias (with further reading and references available) and their effect upon young people.
The Inclusive learning checklist is a set of questions designed to help teachers record and extend their gender-inclusive practice.
Science: It’s a people thing is a pack of resources for running an off-timetable discussion workshop with female students.
Girls in the Physics Classroom: A teachers’ guide for action is a practical guide for teachers based on the findings from the action research project.
Engaging with Girls: An action pack for teachers includes guidance on carrying out action research.
Authentic Research Projects: Guidance for schools on how to engage students in research, both in and outside of the classroom. Ideas for science clubs that attract all genders.