Teacher Support
Teacher Network North Wales
Andrea Fesmer
Teacher Network Coordinator in North Wales
Email : andrea.fesmer@talk21.com
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic College
Widnes
WA8 7DW
Current Position
I have been teaching physics at Saints Peter and Paul for 15 years, with the last 6 years part-time. Being part time means I get a few days a week to get involved in other projects.
Initial Training
BSc (Hons) degree in Physics from Leeds University
PGCE from Cambridge University
Career
I have been teaching physics for over 20 years, including 2 years in Oxfordshire and 3 years with Voluntary Services Overseas in Kenya. I occasionally work as a liaison tutor for the PGCE course at Liverpool John Moores University.
Links with other Agencies
I have worked with the 8 secondary schools in Halton and around 20 primary schools locally on various physics projects. These have included groups working with astronomers or going to deliver forces workshops in schools. I was the Education adviser for Spaceport.
I have strong links with The Astrophysics Institute at Liverpool John Moores, Liverpool University Physics Dept, Daresbury labs and Merseyside Aim Higher. Most of these are due to serving for many years on the IOP Liverpool and North Wales/ Merseyside branch committees.
I was also on the IOP Women in Physics committee for many years which organises various events around the country and has a particular interest in getting girls to do physics. Having 2 young sons has made me realise getting children to do anything can be a challenge!
I have established links with science advisers in North Wales, Careers Wales, NEWI, The National Trust and the Education Dept at Bangor University.
Personal Interests
I am passionate about astronomy and at some point hope to open a mini observatory (shed) for local children. I enjoy a challenge as long as it doesn’t involve elastic ropes or jumping from great heights! I love long walks in the countryside but 2 young children have limited distances in recent years (well that’s my excuse and I am sticking to it!)
Aim/Mission
To make life easier for anyone teaching physics in North Wales, in particular for non-specialist physics teachers.
So at the start of 2008 I aimed to:
- To set up an annual teacher conference
- To set up twilight sessions suitable for teachers and pupils as part of other events.
- To organise events with other organisations such as the National Trust e.g. Trust Physics!
- To set up an e-mail list to allow any ideas for physics resources or events to be swiftly passed on to teachers.
Past Events
Annual teacher conference: Teacher Conference at Bangor University Tuesday 3rd June 2008(Programme and Report from the conference)
Twilight session: Hunting for Asteroids workshop and Search for Extra-Solar Planets lecture as part of the Wrexham Science Festival on Tuesday 13th March 2008. (Report from Wrexham Science Festival)
Events with other organisations: On Wednesday 24th September 2008 Trust Physics! at The National Trust’s Penrhyn Castle involved a day of cross-curricula workshops e.g. the physics of music, the physics of conservation, etc for years 5,6 and 7. PGCE students from BangorUniversity led some of the workshops. (Programme from ‘Trust Physics!’)
E-mail list if you wish to be added to the e-mail list please contact me with your e-mail address.
Future Events
Thursday 26 March - Saturday 4 April 2009 Wrexham Science Festival 2009
After the very positive feedback from the 2008 event it was decided to make an IOP Teacher Network Lecture an annual event at the festival.
Tuesday 2nd June 2009 - Physics Teachers Conference at Bangor University (for anyone who teaches physics).
Autumn Term 2009 ‘Trust Physics!’ (please e-mail for details)
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