Stuart Farmer
@stuartphysics.bsky.social
Science and Physics education stuff plus a bit of bike sport and veg. Education and Workforce Manager at Institute of Physics Scotland and Honorary Fellow at University of Stirling Centre for Research into Curriculum Making. Comments all own.
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
The ASE Scotland Conference is back at Kinross High School in May and we are looking for proposals for presentations.
Technician, 1⁰ teacher, 2⁰ teacher or other involvement with STEMed & are interested in presenting please complete the short form
www.ase.org.uk/2026-ase-sco...
Technician, 1⁰ teacher, 2⁰ teacher or other involvement with STEMed & are interested in presenting please complete the short form
www.ase.org.uk/2026-ase-sco...
February 4, 2026 at 8:57 PM
The ASE Scotland Conference is back at Kinross High School in May and we are looking for proposals for presentations.
Technician, 1⁰ teacher, 2⁰ teacher or other involvement with STEMed & are interested in presenting please complete the short form
www.ase.org.uk/2026-ase-sco...
Technician, 1⁰ teacher, 2⁰ teacher or other involvement with STEMed & are interested in presenting please complete the short form
www.ase.org.uk/2026-ase-sco...
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
Here is a brilliant article - an extremely comprehensive and critical review of literature about the concept of agency in education - authored by our fabulous and very talented PhD student, Sophie Cathcart, supported by her doctoral superviusors.
doi.org/10.1002/rev3...
doi.org/10.1002/rev3...
Review of Education | BERA Educational Research Journal | Wiley Online Library
Agency is a concept that is increasingly prevalent in educational research, policy and practice at local, national and international levels. However, agency is frequently ambiguously defined and subj....
doi.org
January 26, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Here is a brilliant article - an extremely comprehensive and critical review of literature about the concept of agency in education - authored by our fabulous and very talented PhD student, Sophie Cathcart, supported by her doctoral superviusors.
doi.org/10.1002/rev3...
doi.org/10.1002/rev3...
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
Good stuff from David Didau on the guff teachers are told to do - despite a zero evidence base and no positive impact on pupils.
@didau.bsky.social
daviddidau.substack.com/p/the-costs-...
@didau.bsky.social
daviddidau.substack.com/p/the-costs-...
The appeal of nonsense
How pseudoscience, placebo interventions and invented statistics continue to shape classroom practice despite decades of contrary evidence
daviddidau.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Good stuff from David Didau on the guff teachers are told to do - despite a zero evidence base and no positive impact on pupils.
@didau.bsky.social
daviddidau.substack.com/p/the-costs-...
@didau.bsky.social
daviddidau.substack.com/p/the-costs-...
I am sure good Ed-tech used well by teachers and staff well supported to integrate this into their ways of working can have benefits but this is rarely the case. I cannot help but think that if the funding had been invested in teachers and traditional approaches gains would have been much greater.
Blistering piece on ed tech in @economist.com.
‘Although ed-tech companies tout huge learning gains, independent research has made clear that technology rarely boosts learning in schools—and often impairs it.’
economist.com/united-state...
‘Although ed-tech companies tout huge learning gains, independent research has made clear that technology rarely boosts learning in schools—and often impairs it.’
economist.com/united-state...
Ed tech is profitable. It is also mostly useless
Independent research identifies few learning gains
economist.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:49 PM
I am sure good Ed-tech used well by teachers and staff well supported to integrate this into their ways of working can have benefits but this is rarely the case. I cannot help but think that if the funding had been invested in teachers and traditional approaches gains would have been much greater.
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
‘In major assessments for maths, science and reading from 2011 to 2019, greater in-school computer use for learning correlates with lower scores. In contrast, students in classes with rare or no computer use at all typically score highest’
January 24, 2026 at 2:28 PM
‘In major assessments for maths, science and reading from 2011 to 2019, greater in-school computer use for learning correlates with lower scores. In contrast, students in classes with rare or no computer use at all typically score highest’
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
Blistering piece on ed tech in @economist.com.
‘Although ed-tech companies tout huge learning gains, independent research has made clear that technology rarely boosts learning in schools—and often impairs it.’
economist.com/united-state...
‘Although ed-tech companies tout huge learning gains, independent research has made clear that technology rarely boosts learning in schools—and often impairs it.’
economist.com/united-state...
Ed tech is profitable. It is also mostly useless
Independent research identifies few learning gains
economist.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Blistering piece on ed tech in @economist.com.
‘Although ed-tech companies tout huge learning gains, independent research has made clear that technology rarely boosts learning in schools—and often impairs it.’
economist.com/united-state...
‘Although ed-tech companies tout huge learning gains, independent research has made clear that technology rarely boosts learning in schools—and often impairs it.’
economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
Discovery learning works well for students who least need it. carlhendrick.substack.com/p/privilegin...
Privileging the Already Privileged
The Progressive Case for Explicit Instruction
carlhendrick.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:56 AM
Discovery learning works well for students who least need it. carlhendrick.substack.com/p/privilegin...
Excellent Substack article by @carlhendrick.substack.com A good read for all those involved in Scotland’s Curriculum Improvement Cycle as there is always an overlap between curriculum making at a national level and curriculum making by teachers at a local level where pedagogy becomes intertwined.
Discovery learning works well for students who least need it. carlhendrick.substack.com/p/privilegin...
Privileging the Already Privileged
The Progressive Case for Explicit Instruction
carlhendrick.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Excellent Substack article by @carlhendrick.substack.com A good read for all those involved in Scotland’s Curriculum Improvement Cycle as there is always an overlap between curriculum making at a national level and curriculum making by teachers at a local level where pedagogy becomes intertwined.
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
With Wonyong Park and the ASE, we are running a survey on science teachers' use of research to inform teaching.
If you are a science teacher, please consider taking 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. Participants may opt into a prize draw.
southampton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
If you are a science teacher, please consider taking 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. Participants may opt into a prize draw.
southampton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
January 15, 2026 at 8:09 AM
With Wonyong Park and the ASE, we are running a survey on science teachers' use of research to inform teaching.
If you are a science teacher, please consider taking 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. Participants may opt into a prize draw.
southampton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
If you are a science teacher, please consider taking 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. Participants may opt into a prize draw.
southampton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
🌟 Nominations are now open for the Teacher of Physics Awards as part of the #IOPAwards26! The Award honours secondary-level physics teachers who go above and beyond to inspire their students and elevate the profile of physics in schools and colleges.
📅 Closes: 8 March
🔗 https://bit.ly/3Ncy0e1
📅 Closes: 8 March
🔗 https://bit.ly/3Ncy0e1
January 14, 2026 at 4:50 PM
🌟 Nominations are now open for the Teacher of Physics Awards as part of the #IOPAwards26! The Award honours secondary-level physics teachers who go above and beyond to inspire their students and elevate the profile of physics in schools and colleges.
📅 Closes: 8 March
🔗 https://bit.ly/3Ncy0e1
📅 Closes: 8 March
🔗 https://bit.ly/3Ncy0e1
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
We’re looking for volunteers to help run activities, welcome families & chat with them about your own journey in physics.
You'll be invited to an online training session to learn more about the IOP, walk through the activities & receive our proven engagement tips.
Email [email protected] by 5 Feb
You'll be invited to an online training session to learn more about the IOP, walk through the activities & receive our proven engagement tips.
Email [email protected] by 5 Feb
January 12, 2026 at 2:25 PM
We’re looking for volunteers to help run activities, welcome families & chat with them about your own journey in physics.
You'll be invited to an online training session to learn more about the IOP, walk through the activities & receive our proven engagement tips.
Email [email protected] by 5 Feb
You'll be invited to an online training session to learn more about the IOP, walk through the activities & receive our proven engagement tips.
Email [email protected] by 5 Feb
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
🥳 Major milestone for the 🏴Scottish Dark Sky Observatory: architectural designs are now public and isn't she a beauty! Two 5m 🔭domes, observing deck, solar-panelled planetarium, exhibition area & cafe.
Fingers crossed that planning permission gets approved!
ℹ️: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
📷: arpl
Fingers crossed that planning permission gets approved!
ℹ️: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
📷: arpl
January 11, 2026 at 9:51 AM
🥳 Major milestone for the 🏴Scottish Dark Sky Observatory: architectural designs are now public and isn't she a beauty! Two 5m 🔭domes, observing deck, solar-panelled planetarium, exhibition area & cafe.
Fingers crossed that planning permission gets approved!
ℹ️: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
📷: arpl
Fingers crossed that planning permission gets approved!
ℹ️: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
📷: arpl
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
The Trouble with Thinking Fast and Slow: Why the standard dual process story undersells intuition carlhendrick.substack.com/p/rethinking...
Rethinking Fast and Slow
New evidence suggests the standard dual process story undersells intuition
carlhendrick.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:08 PM
The Trouble with Thinking Fast and Slow: Why the standard dual process story undersells intuition carlhendrick.substack.com/p/rethinking...
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
Despite daily use of high quality comprehension curricula across four leading US districts, two thirds of observed lessons facilitated only surface level understanding of texts rather than the robust comprehension these materials were designed to support. sri.com/publication/...
January 9, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Despite daily use of high quality comprehension curricula across four leading US districts, two thirds of observed lessons facilitated only surface level understanding of texts rather than the robust comprehension these materials were designed to support. sri.com/publication/...
Fascinating analysis of the work of @krisboulton.bsky.social by @profbeckyallen.bsky.social. I have been spending lots of time on curriculum design and curriculum-making recently, but for teachers at a classroom level this becomes entwined with instructional design. We need more thinking like this.
Happy New Year everyone! Here's a new Substack post. It's partly about the regularities of instructional design. And partly about the work of @krisboulton.bsky.social...
profbeckyallen.substack.com/p/regulariti...
profbeckyallen.substack.com/p/regulariti...
January 9, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Fascinating analysis of the work of @krisboulton.bsky.social by @profbeckyallen.bsky.social. I have been spending lots of time on curriculum design and curriculum-making recently, but for teachers at a classroom level this becomes entwined with instructional design. We need more thinking like this.
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
Nominations are now open for the #IOPAwards26 Medals and Prizes! 🏆
These awards honour the people who make physics truly extraordinary - whether it’s pioneering research, inspiring education, or innovative applications in business.
⏰ Nominations close 2 March
👉 iop.org/awards
These awards honour the people who make physics truly extraordinary - whether it’s pioneering research, inspiring education, or innovative applications in business.
⏰ Nominations close 2 March
👉 iop.org/awards
January 7, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Nominations are now open for the #IOPAwards26 Medals and Prizes! 🏆
These awards honour the people who make physics truly extraordinary - whether it’s pioneering research, inspiring education, or innovative applications in business.
⏰ Nominations close 2 March
👉 iop.org/awards
These awards honour the people who make physics truly extraordinary - whether it’s pioneering research, inspiring education, or innovative applications in business.
⏰ Nominations close 2 March
👉 iop.org/awards
Excellent description and explanation from @profbeckyallen.bsky.social of why all the 'moderation' exercises organised by Education Scotland and local authorities have largely been a huge waste of precious teacher time. 1/2
100assessment.substack.com/p/the-curric...
100assessment.substack.com/p/the-curric...
The Curriculum Ghost in the Data Machine
The hidden reason shared assessments fail in most secondary subjects
100assessment.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Excellent description and explanation from @profbeckyallen.bsky.social of why all the 'moderation' exercises organised by Education Scotland and local authorities have largely been a huge waste of precious teacher time. 1/2
100assessment.substack.com/p/the-curric...
100assessment.substack.com/p/the-curric...
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
Researchers had people do a memory task, take a 10-min break (rest, Twitter, YouTube, or TikTok), then resume.
Result? Only TikTok wrecked their ability to remember planned intentions. After scrolling, accuracy dropped from ~80% to basically coin-flip levels. Twitter & YouTube? No effect.
Result? Only TikTok wrecked their ability to remember planned intentions. After scrolling, accuracy dropped from ~80% to basically coin-flip levels. Twitter & YouTube? No effect.
Short-Form Videos Degrade Our Capacity to Retain Intentions: Effect of Context Switching On Prospective Memory
Social media platforms use short, highly engaging videos to catch users' attention. While the short-form video feeds popularized by TikTok are rapidly spreading to other platforms, we do not yet under...
arxiv.org
December 31, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Researchers had people do a memory task, take a 10-min break (rest, Twitter, YouTube, or TikTok), then resume.
Result? Only TikTok wrecked their ability to remember planned intentions. After scrolling, accuracy dropped from ~80% to basically coin-flip levels. Twitter & YouTube? No effect.
Result? Only TikTok wrecked their ability to remember planned intentions. After scrolling, accuracy dropped from ~80% to basically coin-flip levels. Twitter & YouTube? No effect.
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
Open up this picture fully.
Then look at the surface of Mars.
Then look up to the top right.
Spot Mars' moon Phobos high in the sky.
Then notice the bright spot beside Phobos.
That's Earth.
Then look at the surface of Mars.
Then look up to the top right.
Spot Mars' moon Phobos high in the sky.
Then notice the bright spot beside Phobos.
That's Earth.
December 30, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Open up this picture fully.
Then look at the surface of Mars.
Then look up to the top right.
Spot Mars' moon Phobos high in the sky.
Then notice the bright spot beside Phobos.
That's Earth.
Then look at the surface of Mars.
Then look up to the top right.
Spot Mars' moon Phobos high in the sky.
Then notice the bright spot beside Phobos.
That's Earth.
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
Hazlehead has finally beaten its previous record attendance, set on 1/1/20. 462 finishers today, up from 387 last Christmas Day and the previous record of 431. What a morning!
December 25, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Hazlehead has finally beaten its previous record attendance, set on 1/1/20. 462 finishers today, up from 387 last Christmas Day and the previous record of 431. What a morning!
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
Seasons Greetings and a Happy New Year from all of us at the Institute of Physics 🎄🎇
December 25, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Seasons Greetings and a Happy New Year from all of us at the Institute of Physics 🎄🎇
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
I don’t think as much attention has been paid to implementing the curriculum as it has to the pedagogy to teach it.
It’s a bit like going into a restaurant where all the effort has gone in to making it look amazing...
open.substack.com/pub/marymyat...
It’s a bit like going into a restaurant where all the effort has gone in to making it look amazing...
open.substack.com/pub/marymyat...
What criteria for implementing the curriculum?
Well hello there, and welcome to update #148!
open.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 9:27 AM
I don’t think as much attention has been paid to implementing the curriculum as it has to the pedagogy to teach it.
It’s a bit like going into a restaurant where all the effort has gone in to making it look amazing...
open.substack.com/pub/marymyat...
It’s a bit like going into a restaurant where all the effort has gone in to making it look amazing...
open.substack.com/pub/marymyat...
Reposted by Stuart Farmer
Many students - and indeed adults - underrate themselves when it comes to maths. So what do we know about teaching for confidence in mathematics?
www.ambition.org.uk/blog/five-in...
www.ambition.org.uk/blog/five-in...
Five insights on teaching for confidence in mathematics
What can teachers of maths do to help more pupils feel confident? Research lead Dr Sam Sims and maths expert Emma Lark share five useful things the research says about confidence in mathematics, and s...
www.ambition.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Many students - and indeed adults - underrate themselves when it comes to maths. So what do we know about teaching for confidence in mathematics?
www.ambition.org.uk/blog/five-in...
www.ambition.org.uk/blog/five-in...
In Scotland there is too little support for those supporting the professional learning of teachers, this is one of the exceptions.
If you like my Practitioner Enquiry Tip of the Week, then come join us on the @strath-ioe.bsky.social PG Cert in Supporting Teacher Learning with GTCS Prof Recognition. Engage in enquiry with like minded peers teaching across a range of contexts #StrathSTL #PractitionerEnquiryTotW
December 15, 2025 at 8:50 PM
In Scotland there is too little support for those supporting the professional learning of teachers, this is one of the exceptions.