Teaching physics in real-life contexts continues to be a challenge for teachers at different educational levels. In this article, three context-rich problems are proposed to be implemented in the classroom for higher education, using the explosion that occurred in Beirut as a case study. These problems require the search and analysis of real data,…

The goal of this work is to build a low cost pedagogical device able to improve the comprehension of weather phenomena for African students in particular and in general for students across the world. This experimental and didactic device can be seen as an easy teaching tool to measure meteorological and climatic data. This structure is called a…

In this paper we describe the results of some experiments about using surprising physics demonstrations, presented as magical phenomena followed by scientific explanations, for introducing physics topics in several teaching contexts. All the demonstrations have been designed to be implemented with easy to get and cheap materials, so that students…

Nuclear masses and binding energies are some of the first nuclear properties met in high school physics, and can be used to introduce radioactive decays, fusion, and fission. With relatively little extension, they can also illustrate fundamental concepts in nuclear physics, such as shell structure and pairing, and to discuss how the elements…

We report the results of a survey applied to students and professionals in the area of physics in Brazil, pursuing to draw a portrait of the composition of this community in terms of the social markers of difference age, race, ethnicity, geographical origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, and disabilities. The main goal was to quantify the…

An achievement evaluation of a non-conventional physics course for liberal arts students is presented. The theoretical ground for this course focuses on the use of humour as a teaching tool. Preliminary evidence shows that a learning process is accomplished. (Contains 1 table and 3 figures.)

In 2005 the European particle physics masterclasses attracted 3000 students from 18 European countries to visit one of 58 universities and education centres. The participants worked with data from real high energy particle collisions, learned about particle physics, and experienced research and education environments at European universities. In…

Reports the results of a radioactivity survey in England. Discusses the aim of the survey, experimental procedures, analysis, and results. Shows several diagrams, graphs, and tables. (YP)

Gives an overview of high school physics education in Japan. Discusses the history, curricular objectives, textbooks, and the entrance examination. Discusses several research groups and individuals and their activities. (YP)

Traces the history of post-secondary technical education (referred to as "further education") in the United Kingdom. Considers its present position in relation to other branches of the education system. Outlines some recent initiatives which have produced the present structure and content of technical education. (TW)

Discusses electricity's documented effects on the human body, including both the dangers to human health and the medical application of electrical stimulation to heart problems. Discusses the teaching of such physics topics to potential medical students. (TW)

Surveys British people over age 15 with the purpose of assessing the level of scientific knowledge among the public. Discusses the relationships between highest level of formal education, sex, and the answers given to questions. Illustrates how little school science instruction is remembered into adulthood. (CW)

Celebrates the 300th anniversary of "Principia Mathematica" written by Sir Isaac Newton. Reviews Newton's life and the circumstances which relate to "Principia." Relates the contributions of other scientists of Newton's time. Discusses Newton's life after the publication of "Principia." (CW)

Discusses how the reputation of "Principia" was created and maintained. Indicates the difficulties of identifying a single unambiguous meaning for the text. Shows that knowledge of Sir Isaac Newton makes little difference to understanding the later impact of the work. (CW)

Discusses the history of scientific thought in terms of the theories of inertia and absolute space, relativity and gravitation. Describes how Sir Isaac Newton used the work of earlier scholars in his theories and how Albert Einstein used Newton's theories in his. (CW)