大象传媒

You mean they have 'coursework' now in A-Level Physics ?

Sounds like a cop-out to me...

And they wonder why they have to seek engineers for the British space programme from China, and JCB send the engineers from their Indian operation to 'help us out' here in the UK...

Even bearing in mind the tongue-in-cheek nature of the film, I'm surprised you didn't take the opportunity to debate the relative cornering risks of a sports car [low centre of gravity, may skid before it tips over] against a 4*4 [may tip over due to high centre-of-gravity]

Though discussion of 'centripetal acceleration' is probably outside the dumbed down curriculum.

At least you could have had the 大象传媒 to shell out for you to have a spin in a Lotus and BMW X5...Though I'm surprised you didn't find room for the 'hammer hitting peach' film.

Well, at least if you fail your A-level, there's always Top Gear..

how to play?

Stephen is clearly doing the first year of the A-level course, referred to as AS (Advanced Subsidiary) Physics. Circular motion, centripetal forces and centripetal acceleration is part of the second year of the course (known as A2...and AS+A2=A level). It sounds like Stephen is following the same exam board as I currently am for his course, since the physics of car safety is a (relatively small) part of the Mechanics module for AS on my course and as far as I know, no other syllabus explicitly states the physics of car safety must be studied. No doubt he'll learn all about motion in a circle next year. A-level physics hasn't been dumbed down so much as to remove such a crucial aspect of the subject.

As for the coursework comment, with most A-level Physics syllabuses, there is the choice between a practical exam or coursework in each year of the course. It's usually down to the teacher which option is followed. At my college, we do the practical exam. The coursework and the practical exam follow the same pattern and for my syllabus at least, a presentation like this probably wouldn't count as coursework. The coursework and practical exam test the same techniques (i.e. planning experiments, obtaining results, analysis of the results and evaluation of the procedure followed)

I am trying to get a contact e-mail address at the 大象传媒 or elsewhere for Stephen Smith regarding his book 'Cuba - The Land of Miracles'.

I have already e-mailed the Editor of Newsnight with the same enquiry a few days ago, but have as yet had no response.

Thank you,

Clive Frost

Just had a look at one or two other syllabuses ... apparently this report style thing can count for coursework with some exam boards, so maybe I stand corrected! My mate doing a different exam board's syllabus did a report on the physics of theme park rides. However, the typical experiment-style coursework is still there in addition to this report-style work...

A thouroughly entertaining, dead-pan, report by Stephen Smith.

Surely though, most students these days are less likely to take up science preferring less traditional subjects such as media studies, sociology or maybe politics.

It is true there is a skill shortage at the moment in science, but why not employ skilled staff from overseas like we always seem to do in britain, until a fresh crop of new graduates come through.

Or perhaps the government is worried, with higher fees, the numbers will drop further.

Physics is such a hard A-level people saying that it is a cop-out doesnt know the half of it!! im wit the WJEC board and the coursework we do is a practical and we are doing electrolysis, i'd like the people saying physics is easy to sit the exam you'll soon reliase what hard work it is!! Syallbus's arent being dumbed doen but changed to fit todays world!! i work soo hard not for people to say its easy!!

I have a picture of Gordon Brown playing rugby - b/w picture. Would you like me to send them to you?

I will send them to Cameron if not!!!!

Stephanie Hilton