Prestigious Institute of Physics award for University of Leicester initiative with local schools

University of Leicester physicists working with local schools to empower young people to connect with science and engineering have been recognised with a national award.

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics, and the leading body for practising physicists, in the UK and Ireland. 

Its annual awards proudly reflect the wide variety of people, places, organisations and achievements that make physics such an exciting discipline.

The IOP Awards celebrate physicists at every stage of their career; from those just starting out through to physicists at the peak of their careers, and those with a distinguished career behind them. 

Orbyts has received their award for their outstanding work in reimagining and reenergising the teaching of physics in schools that face some of the most significant challenges and in empowering students from all demographics to access physics education. Through cutting-edge research partnerships Orbyts is proven to transform inclusivity in Physics for girls and students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Orbyts team includes co-directors Dr Jasmine Kaur Sandhu and Dr Michaela Mooney from the University of Leicester School of Physics and Astronomy, who lead Orbyts alongside their Space Weather research in the Planetary Science Research Group.

Dr Sandhu said: "It is a huge honour to be recognised in this way. We are incredibly proud of the inspirational school students that we work with, and the outstanding research they lead through Orbyts."

Dr Mooney, who leads the University of Leicester Hub, notes: "It has been amazing to work with our local schools and empower students in our community to connect with science and engineering. We are excited to grow the programme within Leicester, and we encourage any interested schools or prospective partners to get in touch with us!"

Orbyts at the University of Leicester has engaged with a number of schools in the community, including Herewoode Academy, Samworth Tudor Grange Academy and Wreake Valley Academy. School students have led novel research aligned with the University’s world-leading expertise in Space, from exploring how the new SMILE space mission will image Earth’s space environment to modelling atmospheres of brown dwarfs.

Congratulating this year’s Award winners, Paul Howarth, IOP President, said: "Our award winners represent the very best of physics. Through their curiosity, expertise and dedication, they are expanding knowledge, driving innovation and inspiring the next generation of scientists.

"Physics underpins so much of the modern world, from healthcare and clean energy to advanced technologies and our understanding of the universe. The achievements we celebrate today demonstrate the extraordinary impact that physicists have in research, education, industry and beyond.

"On behalf of the Institute of Physics, I offer my warmest congratulations to every one of our award winners. Their contributions strengthen our discipline, benefit society and show what can be achieved through a career in physics. I hope they take great pride in this well-deserved recognition and that their success encourages others to follow in their footsteps."