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HSC Kickstart Physics

Dr Phil performs the meissner effect

HSC Physics made easy for students and teachers alike. Get inside the big experiments: The Meissner Effect, AC induction motors, Wilson cloud chamber to name a few... in the setting of a real Physics Lab in the historic Physics Building at the University of Sydney.

Kickstart workshops are hands-on workshops addressing specific dotpoints from the HSC syllabus.

Your class will spend a couple of intense hours going through the experiments in small groups. Each group has its own dynamic demonstrator and covers highlights of the syllabus in depth.

Some of the Kickstart demonstrators

Kickstart Physics hits the road
In May 2009, Kickstart visited Wagga Wagga, Dubbo and Armidale on it annual trip. Click here for more details.







$$ New discount offer! $$
The Sydney Observatory and the School of Physics are offering a discount to schools that complete Kickstart workshops and a visit to the Observatory on the same day.

  • Sydney Observatory
    $6 per student
  • Kickstart
    $22 per student
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Modules

Kickstart workshops specifically address dot points from the syllabus.

From ideas to Implementations:

  • Hertz's Experiment
  • Photoelectric effect
  • Superconductors & the Meissner Effect
  • Cathode rays
  • Semiconductors
Up close with the CRT

Motors and Generators:

  • Motor Effect
  • Electromagnetic Induction and Lenz's Law
  • AC Induction Motors
  • Generators
  • Transformers
Elie and motors

Space:

  • The Michelson-Morley Experiment
  • Einstein explained interactive lecture
Michelson Morley experiment

Quanta to Quarks:

  • Wilson Cloud Chamber
  • Atomic emission spectra (including Hydrogen)
  • Penetration of Radioactive emission
  • Tracking particles (with live CERN data)
  • Mass defect in radioactive decay
Aragos disk

A Medical Physics module is under development, we hope to have it ready to go soon.

Workshops go for approximately 2.5 hours, with a 10 minute break in the middle. Worksheets are provided for all students, however they should bring a pen. A calculator is handy, too.

Custom workshops are an option - choose 5 experiments from the above modules. Or if you have other requests (e.g. Crookes discharge tubes, or force between two wires demo), contact us and we will do our best to help you.

More info can be found in the Kickstart FAQs.

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Costs

** New price from 2009 - $25 per student

There is no charge for teachers. For custom modules of more than 6 experiments, additional charges will apply.

You can find a timetable of current bookings here.

Once you book in for your session a tax invoice will be sent to you. You can pay by cheque, visa, mastercard or bankcard. Cash payment is no longer accepted. No GST is charged for this program. Refunds will only be given under consideration.

We also request that final student numbers be confirmed at least one week prior to attending your workshop.

Note: If your students arrive late for a session, we cannot guarantee that your workshop can run beyond the allocated end time to compensate.

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More Info

Students must wear closed toe footwear while in the laboratory, and long hair should be tied back. Full Safety information about Kickstart Workshops is found in our risk assessment forms.

Food and Drinks: water is available in the lab, and there are a limited variety of snacks for sale, however students are advised to bring their own food, there are no nearby cafes.

Parking on the University campus is unrestricted outside the areas denoted as University Vehicles Only. The cost is $24 per day or $2 per hour after 3 pm.

A minibus of 15 seats or less can park in any valid parking spots on campus. For buses larger than this, you will need to find parking on surrounding public streets.

A free parking permit can be organised for you if you contact us in advance and specify the date of your visit and the registration number of your vehicle. Note that this does not guarantee you a parking space.

More info can be found in the Kickstart FAQs.

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Contact Us


If you wish to book a Kickstart session, please email us :

  • Your contact details, (school name, address, phone and fax)
  • Number of students.
  • Preferred modules.
  • Three suggested dates. During Uni terms Kickstart is unavailable on Wed & Thu afternoons. You can find a timetable of current bookings here. The maximum class size is 35 students.
  • Start times for your workshop (usually 9.30 am or 1 pm).

We will contact you within a couple of days to confirm your booking.

Kickstart Physics is co-ordinated by Dr Phil Dooley and Ms Lara Davis.

Phone: 9351 3383
Fax: 9036 7158
Email:

Kickstart is also available in Biology, Chemistry and Anatomy & Histology. See the Science Faculty website for more details.

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