Physics is considered a boring subject by student across schools. People say it is hard and uninteresting. But when asked about topics outside the curriculum, they found themselves astonished.

Inside school, physics is taught in a structured way, including topics like energy, and electricity. This kind of teaching is the kind that gets you through your GCSE’s, but it doesn’t represent the vastness of physics, and the kinds of physics, like quantum physics and astrophysics. It’s not hard to understand why students find it hard and boring. In school, physics is mainly equation based, and answering questions isn’t the most enjoyable thing to do in life.

So, why bother learn physics anyways? The reason we should learn physics is because it helps us understand the World. What we see is just things that unfold in front of our eyes. Physics is the why. Why does this happen? Why does an apple fall of a tree? Why do the brakes of a car work? Instead of seeing the basic, we see the things below that. And then we are astounded by the predictability of it all.

Teaching physics with a rigid structure is what makes it seem so boring. But if you look deeper, you find layers upon layers of complexity that make it so much more interesting. Understandably, not everything can be taught at GCSE but it can be at least introduced more to students through assemblies and STEM days. Because why would anyone like a subject if it isn't enjoyable. To make a subject enjoyable, the topics taught must be interesting. The physics that we learn at school isn't interesting

When asked whether one class in year 10, at Newstead Wood School liked physics, only 1 said they enjoyed it, while 1 other said they didn’t mind it.

The rest hated it.

Bhumiekaa Boyapati, from the class that I asked to vote about physics said “When I’m in physics lessons, sometimes it’s so boring and I want to fall asleep, but I’ve watched quite a few documentaries and they are really interesting. “

Another student Natheshaini Jeyamooran said “physics at school can get so boring, but when I hear things about the Perseverance rover on the news I sometimes reconsider my dislike for the subject”

So, should the GCSE specification include a more interesting array of topics that students can enjoy learning about?