30
Oct
 2026
Experiments with Photonics Explorer Kits All Events
Event Start: 09:00
Event Finish: 17:00
The photonics day course will cover experiments for all secondary school physics levels through to Advanced Higher. We will be using the items in the photonics kit for all the experiments, which will include pinhole cameras, using lenses, refraction, the change of speed of light in water compared to air, diffraction gratings, and Young's double slit experiment using the 'Tracker' program.
Scotland aims to grow its photonics sector to achieve a turnover of more than £4 billion by 2030. To help realise this ambition, it is important that school pupils are introduced to photonics and develop an understanding of its applications and career opportunities.
The Universities of Glasgow, Heriot-Watt, St Andrews, and Strathclyde have jointly been awarded a £4.7 million EPSRC grant through the Photonics & Quantum Accelerator (PQA). Part of this funding is being used to provide Photonics Explorer kits to 60 schools across Scotland.
These kits, worth more than £150 each, are excellent resources for delivering BGE Science and National Physics courses through engaging, hands-on experiments. If your school does not currently have a kit, you will be eligible to receive one by attending this course.
Course Dates: 30th October 2026
Closing Date: 30th September 2026

Course Leader

Tim Reid
01383 626070
Accommodation
This is a one-day course, no accommodation is provided.    
Location
The course will be held at SSERC in Dunfermline. Our SSERC buildings are at 2 Pitreavie Court, Dunfermline, KY11 8UU. SSERC is a short (5-10 minutes) walk from Rosyth railway station and close to the end of the A823(M) spur off Junction 2 of the M90 motorway. Car journey times (approximately): Edinburgh – 30 min; Glasgow – 60 min; Aberdeen – 2.5 hours; Inverness – 3 hours.

 

Cost

Free of Charge

 

Outcomes

  • Familiarisation with the Photonics Explorer kits (and a kit to take away).
  • Ability to run a variety of photonics experiments across all levels of secondary school.
  • Appreciation of the importance of photonics in physics research and industry.
  • Health and safety when using light sources and lasers.

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