Embedded Files
Nuclear Masterclass
Nuclear Masterclass
An online masterclass with live webinars, interactive activities and an online question forum
The masterclass for 2025 is now finished.
The 2026 masterclass will take place from 2 March - 12 April 2026.
To be notified of when the 2026 masterclass opens for registration, please sign up to our mailing list. Teachers can also access the materials immediately by registering using the link below.
The masterclass programmes are recommended for students aged 14-19 studying physics. Teachers are welcome to register to view the resources (all of which are available to be used independently of the masterclass), track their students' progress, and/or as CPD. Registration is free and there is no commitment to complete the programme.
Masterclasses are available at pre-16 (GCSE or equivalent) and post-16 (A-level or equivalent) levels.
All the content can be completed at your own pace, with your class or independently.
The pre-16 course consists of four modules, and the post-16 course of six modules. Each module contains three to five hours of content.
During the facilitated runs, which take place annually around Easter time, live webinars with leading experts take place weekly and help is available on a daily online forum. You can register to participate in these masterclasses using the buttons below and/or can access the resources immediately (unsupported outside the delivery window).
Teacher Testimonials
Teacher Testimonials
“I'm new to teaching A Level Physics and having to teach nuclear physics to Y13 despite not having a degree in Physics...[The masterclass] has helped me plan much more comprehensive lessons and I can answer students’ questions much more easily.”
"What I valued most was the close links to our A-level and year 11 curriculum that gave me opportunities to improve my subject knowledge and consequently, the quality of my teaching. For example, Rody from Liverpool University mentioned that the nucleons in the nucleus exist in shells much like electrons in the atom. I never knew this before, and immediately added this to my lesson plan for my higher ability students in Year 9 when we had our first lesson on the structure of the atom. They were impressed, and I was thrilled! "
"An excellent balance of explanation and exercises: the webinars were really informative and the detail covered the bases of our teaching content, but also stretched beyond it to encourage deeper understanding and space for high achievers to push themselves."
Pre-16 Masterclass
Pre-16 Masterclass
Masterclass Content
Masterclass Content
This programme is suitable for students aged 14-16 studying Physics (GCSE, National 5, or equivalent), including combined science/dual award.
Module 1: Building Blocks of the Universe: Investigate the scale of the Universe - from galaxies down to the smallest particles. Zoom in on the atom and find out about the experiments that have revealed both atomic and nuclear structure - from historic experiments through to current particle accelerators.
Module 2: Radiation: Explore radiation. Investigate how and why nuclei decay and the different types of radiation released. Discover the potential hazards of radiation and how these can be managed to safely use radiation in a range of applications.
Module 3: Fission and Fusion: Find out how nuclear physics can be used for power generation. Analyse the UK's use of energy resources; find out more about the use of fission in nuclear power stations; and explore cutting-edge research into fusion energy - making mini-Suns here on Earth.
Module 4: Medical Physics: Explore the applications of nuclear physics in medicine. Discover how radiation is used for taking images of different parts of the body, and for treating diseases such as cancer. Find out what the role of a medical physicist involves and investigate the effectiveness of different treatments using an online simulation.
Curriculum Links
Curriculum Links
GCSEs
IGCSEs
Scottish Qualifications
Post-16 Masterclass
Post-16 Masterclass
Masterclass Content
Masterclass Content
This six-week programme is suitable for students aged 16-19 studying Physics (AS or A-levels, Highers or Advanced Highers, or equivalent).
Module 1: Energy and Decay: Explore the Nuclear Chart, which shows all of the isotopes discovered so far. Refresh your understanding of the different decay types, follow nuclear decay chains, explore the concept and applications of binding energy, and investigate half-lives.
Module 2: Experimental Nuclear Physics: From historic experiments that revealed the structure of the atom, to cutting edge detectors and particle accelerators, explore how discoveries in Nuclear Physics have been made, and get a glimpse of some of the exciting cutting-edge research that's currently being undertaken around the world.
Module 3: Nuclear Astrophysics: Investigate the life cycle of stars - from fusion taking place in main sequence stars, to the nuclear reactions happening during stellar explosions. Discover the origins of the elements and find out about the roles of different isotopes in these processes.
Module 4: Fusion Technology: Bringing nuclear fusion, the process that powers the stars, down to Earth. Find out about this potential method of power generation that could solve the energy crisis. From tokamaks to laser-driven fusion, discover the interface between nuclear and plasma physics and explore the devices being used to create temperatures more than ten times hotter than the centre of the Sun.
Module 5: Medical Physics: Explore Nuclear Medicine - from imaging techniques to treatment of diseases such as cancer. Discover what medical physicists do; find out how PET scanners work, and how quantum entanglement can make these more effective; and use computer modelling to investigate proton-beam therapy and optimise treatment.
Module 6: Particle Physics meets Nuclear Physics: Delve inside the nucleus: Protons and neutrons are both examples of hadrons - particles composed of quarks that therefore feel the strong force. Discover some of the more exotic quark combinations and newly discovered particles that may give us the answer to questions such as 'What is dark matter?'.
Curriculum Links
Curriculum Links
A-levels
Scottish Qualifications
International Qualifications
Using Isaac Physics
Using Isaac Physics
All of the questions in the masterclasses are set through Isaac Physics. You can read more about this platform and how to use it to track your students' progress.
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