Edmund - Ely tutor





Edmund's profile picture

Information About Edmund:


Personal Description:

I like finding out how the world around me works, and am keen to pass on my knowledge and enthusiasm to others. I also enjoy making or tinkering with things - I have customised a button accordion to play bass notes more flexibly, and have added extra buttons to video game controllers. In school I designed and constructed a solar-powered light of adjustable brightness. Patterns appeal to me. When I am not involved in science, I do Scottish Country Dancing, as well as many other genres of folk dancing with intricate symmetrical dance figures. My study of several languages, including Latin and German, allows me to identify parts of scientific terms that I can use to help my students understand them - for instance a recently discovered non-repeating tile is named Einstein not after the physicist but because only one ('ein') type of tile or stone ('stein') is needed to make the pattern. I find Richard Feynman inspiring. He himself got into science through tinkering and discussions with his father about how things worked. He spoke on beauty in nature, and that scientific understanding only enhances its appreciation - as well as seeing the beauty of a flower, a scientist can also wonder at its smaller structure, and how it developed to attract insects to pollinate it. What does this tell us about how bees see the world?



Teaching Experience:

I have three years' experience conducting tutorials in Materials Science at Cambridge University, having myself studied Natural Sciences there, including Physics and Chemistry. In addition to the course material provided by the university and my own worked solutions to the problems, I used physical models in the teaching that I had made myself.

In 2018, I taught the Maths and Physics component of the NCC International Foundation Programme for Engineers (of around GCSE/A-level level) at the Star Exeter language school.

Since 2018 I have tutored science and maths independently and for local authorities.One of my pupils has been with me since 2018 - starting with GCSE Physics, and progressing through A Level Biology to finance for adult life. I regularly tutor Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology from KS3 up to A Level. I have also had students in other systems e.g. IB and AP. I have also assisted students with Psychology, Environmental Management and Marine Science. Feel free to contact me even if you are studying for a different qualification or an usual scientific topic - I have helped people studying ophthalmic dispensing and non-destructive testing as well as school science / maths, and may well be able to help you too.



Tutoring Approach:

I enjoy showing you real-world applications of what we are studying. In out lessons, we will draw diagrams and break problems down into bite-size steps. I encourage my students to think of real-life examples of the material and to ask themselves helpful questions such as "What do I already know?", "Is this a sensible answer?" (e.g. compared to the size of household objects or the speed of a walker or car) and "Did I expect those units?".



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Qualifications:

  • MSci Natural Sciences, II.i
  • A-level Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, A
  • AS-level Design & Technology: Product Design, A
  • GCSE Biology, A*

Further Information:

Availability:  Weekdays (all times)
Types of Tutoring:   Travels to you / Online
References Supplied?   Yes
Additional Languages Spoken:   German, French