Congratulations to the School’s Edinburgh Award winners

Congratulations to the 15 School of Physics and Astronomy students who won an Edinburgh Award for the extra-curricular activities they were involved in this year.

The Edinburgh Award

The Edinburgh Award recognises the non-academic University activities, such as volunteering work, community activities or part time work, which some students take part in while studying at the University. The Award enables students to reflect on and develop the skills gained through taking part in such activities, and encourages them to articulate what they have gained from such activities – a skill which will be of advantage when communicating with potential employers. 

Physics Outreach and Maths Buddies

The Edinburgh Award was given students for who were involved in the School’s Physics Outreach Team or the Maths Buddies scheme at a ceremony held at the Playfair Library on 22 April.

The Physics Outreach Team, led by Ogden Outreach Officer Dr. Jean-Christophe Denis, work to engage the wider community in physics and science through the delivery of educational activities. Students delivered activities at events such as the Festival of Physics, and at venues including Ocean Terminal shopping centre, and Waverley and Haymarket train stations. Students also planned and organised some of their own activities, including a weekly science club in a local primary school and high school, and an ‘after dark’ astronomy science event as part of Craigmillar Community Science Festival.  

The Maths Buddies scheme, co-ordinated by Dr Kristel Torokoff who is the lecturer for Mathematics for Physics courses, enables senior students to provide support and guidance to more junior students with regards to their mathematical physics course material. Maths Buddies arrange regular sessions where junior students complete maths assignments in the company of peers, get support on course-related questions and coordinate with like-minded people who enjoy solving maths challenges. Buddies also provide guidance and answers to questions posed online, via the Facebook Group and Piazza platform.