Primary Physical Science Education

ISBN-13: 9783031439520 / Angielski / Twarda / 2023

Hans U. Fuchs;Federico Corni

Opis

This open access book is the first of two volumes that integrates a study of direct encounters with Primary Forces of Nature, Wind, Light, Rain, Heat and Cold, Water, etc., with imaginative narrative forms of communication. The approach developed in this book shows how the growth of cognitive tools (first of mythic and then of romantic forms of understanding) lets children make sense of experiencing physical phenomena. An in-depth description of Fluids, Gravity, and Heat as Basic Forces shows how primary sense-making can evolve into understanding of aspects of physical science, allowing for a nature-based pedagogy and application to environmental systems. The final chapter introduces visual metaphors and theatrical storytelling that are particularly useful for understanding the role of energy in physical processes. It explores how a mythic approach to nature can inform early science pedagogy. This book is of interest to kindergarten and primary school teachers as well as early education researchers and instructors.

Spis treści

Chapter 1. Myth, Imagination, and Science.- Chapter 2. Encounters with Forces of Nature.- Chapter 3. Wind, Water, and Gravity.- Chapter 4. Heat as a Force of Nature.- Chapter 5. Imagining Forces – Towards Visual Storytelling.- Chapter 6. Science for Children?

O autorze

Hans U. Fuchs studied physics at ETH Zurich and RPI in Troy, NY, before working in the industry. He did research in astrophysics, geophysics, and solar energy engineering. He taught introductory physics and systems design for engineering students from 1983 to 2017 and has been a lecturer in physics education since 2017 at the Free University of Bolzano. He is the author of The Dynamics of Heat (2nd ed., Springer, New York).

Federico Corni studied physics at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy. Initially, he was involved in research in solid-state physics and then gradually moved to research in physics education. In 2002, he became an associate professor in physics education and in 2019, he joined the Free University of Bolzano as a full professor. His interests include curriculum development for student teachers, production of teaching materials and classroom experimentation.