Teaching topics of modern physics: a partnership between Science Center and School

Abstract

The present proposal covers aspects of school culture and science centers in order to promote the teaching of topics of modern physics at public schools. It investigates the essential elements for an effective partnership between school and science center by the construction of sequences of teaching and learning. The sequences will be developed in partnership with teachers in service and applied in the classroom. The proposal covers themes of modern physics and astrophysics in a non formal space and school. The overall objective of this proposal is to understand how to handle (and seeking to overcome) the obstacles related to the pedagogical-didactic teaching of modern physics by building sequences of teaching and learning. As result, we intend to promote curricular innovations using teaching-learning sequences to insert the contents of modern physics teaching in public schools. Due to the fact this proposal deals with themes that are complementary (non-formal education, teaching of modern physics and curricular innovations), we will use as framework the "learning environments" proposed by Falk and Dierking widely used in research on education in non formal and "didactic transposition" proposed by Yves Chevallard. Both are used as a reference of the thematic project in progress to which this proposal relates (FAPESP process # 2008/10470-6). (AU)