Peter Adamczyk

Peter Adamczyk, who died in April, led science education programmes at Sussex for many years. 

Peter came from Eastwood in Nottinghamshire and moved south to study at the University of Portsmouth, graduating in 1972. He began his career as a biology teacher at Dalston Mount School for Girls in Hackney before moving in the early 1980s to Bishop Bell School in Eastbourne, where he became head of the science department.

In the mid-1980s he enrolled on a physics conversion course, a national initiative that sought to address the growing shortage of teachers in the subject - and this move proved key to his later career choice. His enthusiasm for teaching physics and his contributions to university sessions did not go unnoticed and in 1989 he was approached by faculty at Sussex to consider a move into higher education as a lecturer in science education.

He was asked to run the science education component of a new physics degree programme for career changers as well as a parallel programme for students from the Seychelles. He later extended his international commitments to working with teachers in Sub-Saharan Africa, including periods in the field exploring models of effective science teaching with aspiring teachers.

In the 1990s, Peter developed research interests in cognitive acceleration through science education (CASE) for secondary school pupils as well as concept acquisition in those about to embark on a teaching career in science. During this period, he became the CASE coordinator for the south-east of England. He also developed an interest in interactive video technology which led to the INSTEP initiative, an innovative project funded by the Sainsbury Trust where a live feed from school classrooms allowed trainee teachers to focus on particular features of pupil and teacher interactivities.

His most significant contribution was on the University’s PGCE and professional development courses for new and established science teachers, which he led until his retirement in 2012. His contribution to the work of science education ensured the programmes grew significantly during his time at the University of Sussex.

Peter’s work was recognised nationally when he was asked to sit on the government’s steering committee with responsibility for developing the content of a physics enhancement course before the nationwide roll-out. Peter believed that the work of the University should be rooted in the community and for many years he ran the University’s masterclasses in science and technology for local secondary pupils as well as Awe and Wonder science activities touring local primary schools.

Colleagues and students will remember Peter as a truly outstanding teacher. He was enthusiastic and great humoured, and the passion that he had for his subject was infectious to those he taught and worked with. He kept us all on a life-long learning curve and inspired generations of teachers and, in turn, enriched the learning of the pupils they went on to teach in schools. He will be greatly missed, but his influence lives on.

A service will be held at 1pm on Friday 17 May at Clayton Wood natural burial ground.

Mike Willson, former colleague