Share your passion for physics with an IOP grant

For all those with an idea which aims to make physics more accessible to the public, the first round of the Institute of Physics (IOP) 2011 Public Engagement Grant Scheme is now open for applications.

The grants are worth up to £1000 and aim to support physics-based outreach activities in the UK and Ireland throughout 2011. The activities – which can range from workshops to theatre performances – should provide positive and compelling experiences of physics to public audiences.

Dayna Mason, Physics in Society Outreach Officer said “We supported some amazing projects through the Grant Scheme last year – physics busking in Nottingham’s Broadmarsh Shopping Centre, the conversion of a circular tent into a 360 degree Camera Obscura, development of a show exploring historical physics breakthroughs and more.

“One of my favourites was a rocket-building workshop for pre-schoolers and their parents – a team of volunteer research physicists and engineers ran six different activities. The children and parents really enjoyed learning about rockets and the volunteers now feel a lot more confident talking about physics to under-fives. It was a great project.”

More information about the public engagement grant scheme, including application forms, guidelines and summaries of past projects, is available online at www.iop.org/activity/outreach.