School visits and outreach
The Outreach Office runs a regular programme of events and talks. The majority of these take place in Cambridge, but we are happy to work with community groups with sufficient reach. See our Events page for bookings and below for an overview of our core programmes and join our mailing list to be informed of future events.
Physics at Work
Our flagship event shows the wide variety of careers available in fields related to physics and the diverse routes it is possible to take into them. It is a three days event that takes place every September, aimed at students in Years 9 to 11. Attendees spend a morning or afternoon seeing exhibits from industry and academia.
Cambridge Physics Experience
This programme challenges misconceptions about academic physics and highly-selective universities. The Cambridge Physics Experience is a day-long event aimed at Years 7, 9, and 12. Attendees visit a Cambridge college for age-specific discussions of higher education in the morning, then head to the Cavendish Laboratory in the afternoon for a hands-on physics activity. These activities apply curriculum physics to open-ended challenges to demonstrate its problem-solving applications.
Cambridge Physics Centre lectures
In partnership with local teachers, we run an annual series of evening lectures aimed at sixth form students. These public talks feature people working at the forefront of science discussing their work in an accessible and engaging manner. Lectures take place monthly from September to March on a Tuesday or Thursday. To be notified of upcoming lectures, please sign up to the mailing list. Where possible, recordings are available on the Department YouTube account.
Cambridge festival
Every March, the Cavendish opens its doors to the general public as part of the Cambridge Festival’s West Cambridge Day. Our activities include talks, demonstrations, and hands-on experiements intended to show the work that goes on across the Department.
Primary school activities
We are in the process of developing our offering for primary schools and would welcome any input from primary teachers. Please contact us for more information.
Bursaries
We offer financial support for travel and teacher cover costs for schools to attend physics events in Cambridge. The Cavendish Laboratory Outreach Office runs many FREE events throughout the year for students and teachers to attend. Schools can apply for bursaries to attend any of these events.
Available bursaries and criteria
Travel
- Up to £500 for travel provided for schools that are in POLAR4 quintiles 1,2, or 3
- Up to £1500 for any state school that organises a coach for their school and at least one other
Cover
- Lesson cover up to £300 for schools in quintiles 1 or 2 in the POLAR4 survey
To claim the bursaries schools will be asked to raise one invoice for the total cost of travel and cover to the Cavendish Laboratory.
Receipts for travel must be sent with the school invoice as proof of cost unless minibus mileage is being claimed. (We cannot pay coach companies directly).
Accommodation and food
FREE accommodation, dinner and/or lunch can be provided by Churchill College for state schools travelling more than 120 miles to attend a Cavendish event. Accommodation and meals are subject to availability and only available for specific dates and events due to University Term. Please contact Dr Nicki Humphrey-Baker if you have any questions.
Teacher resources
We have a variety of resources available for different age ranges, all using commonly found components. Please complete this form to request access.
CPD
We are happy to support teachers, particularly those teaching out of specialism, and are developing this offering. Please contact us with enquiries.
