The Junior College Multi-Disciplinary Conference: Research, Practice and Collaboration

Transcription

1 The Junior College Multi-Disciplinary Conference: Research, Practice and Collaboration Pre-Conference Physics Workshop Monday, 17 September

2 Programme NB The programme may be subject to changes Monday 17 September :00-08:45 After 09:00 Registration and coffee Ground floor, Block A Reception Desk on the 2 nd floor (Block A) Venue A203 Meeting Room 1 08:45-09:00 Welcome Address: Antonia Vella Chairperson: Joan Borg Marks 09:00-10:00 Session 1: A research based path focusing on experimental explorations of magnetic phenomena 10:00 10:25 Coffee break A201 Cafeteria & Dining Area Venue A203 Meeting Room 1 10:30-13:00 Chairperson: Joan Borg Marks Session 2: Characterising magnetic field by experimental explorations 13:00-13:50 Lunch A201 Cafeteria & Dining Area Venue A203 Meeting Room 1 14:00-15:30 Chairperson: Joan Borg Marks Session 3: A research based path on the phenomenology of superconductivity based on experimental explorations 2

3 A Vertical Path Proposal on Magnetic and Electromagnetic Phenomena and Superconductivity Based on Hands-on Experiments Daniele Buongiorno Marisa Michelini Lorenzo Santi Abstract The workshop focuses on magnetic and electromagnetic phenomena offering a coherent teaching/learning path in a vertical curriculum perspective, from primary to secondary school, starting with the exploration of the space around a magnet, to the concept of flux of a magnetic field and electromagnetic induction, and ending with the analysis of superconductivity phenomena with exploration of the magnetic field in matter. The workshop offers an experience of Conceptual Labs of Operative Exploration (CLOE Labs) engaging participants in working groups by means of questionnaires and inquiry sheets, to experience the way in which conceptual knots known in literature can be faced by means of inquiry-based learning (IBL) strategies. The IBL approach adopted in the workshop is based on a set of hands-on/minds-on explorative experiments designed with simple apparatus and multimedia tools. The workshop is organised in three main sections: a first explorative section focuses on the presentation of a path on magnetic phenomena, based on magnetic field lines as conceptual referent to identify magnetic fields, to distinguish between magnetic field and magnetic force, and to describe magnetic field as a pseudo vector. Inquiry sheets based on observedo-understand (ODU) strategy will encourage the personal involvement of the participants in exploring the experimental situations on interactions between magnets and other objects made of ferromagnetic, diamagnetic, paramagnetic matter. The compass, as a magnet itself, becomes the explorer of the properties of the space around a magnet. This creates the opportunity to investigate the interactions between magnets and build a sort of map of the space in terms of flux. In the second section, electric current will become the source of magnetic field. Through the Oersted experiment and by using a platform of compasses, participants will explore the new characteristics of field lines and individuate the analogy between a magnet and a solenoid. This gives the opportunity to 3

4 measure a magnetic field in fundamental units and to explore the electromagnetic induction with relative applications. The final section of the workshop focuses on the phenomenology of superconductivity which offers many opportunities to explore a relevant phenomenology perceived as a challenge, stimulating the construction of models, activating a critical reanalysis of magnetic and electrical properties of materials. The changes in the electric and magnetic properties of a YBCO (yttrium barium copper oxide) sample (a material showing superconductive properties) emerge at phase transition, employing probes designed to explore resistivity versus temperature of solids, with on-line measurements. The problematised analysis of the phenomenology aims at constructing models for the Meissner effect, using the field line representation and the pinning effect. The topic of superconductivity is significant since it is framed in the wider context of modern physics. It is the macroscopic evidence of quantum processes that can be observed with simple and motivating experiments, involving technological applications, such as magnetic levitation. 4

5 Bio-notes of workshop speakers DANiElE BUONGiORNO was awarded a Bachelor s degree in Physics in 2011 and a Master s degree in astrophysics in 2015 by the University of RomaTre, Rome. He is currently reading for a Ph.D. in Physics Education Research at the University of Udine (IT). His research field addresses the educational significance of optical spectroscopy: its focusing on the interpretation of the link between spectral lines and discrete energy levels, students interpretative models and their strategies and the role of processes and apparatuses, in order to build a vertical educational path starting from primary pupils to university students to overcome the main conceptual knots. Between 2010 and 2018, Daniele was educational tutor in Mathematics, Physics and Laboratory Science for university students in Geology, Economical study (University of RomaTre) and Biotechnology (University of Udine). 5

6 MARiSA MiCHEliNi is Full Professor in Physics Education at University of Udine, Italy, where she is Rector s delegate for Didactic Innovation. She also manages the Research Unit in Physics Education (URDF). She is President of the International Research Group in Physics Education (GIREP), Director of the Italian University Consortium on Education and Guidance (GEO), committee member of the Multimedia Physics Teaching and Learning (MPTL), board member of the EPS-PED division and honorary member of the Italian Association for Physics Teaching (AIF). She founded the Centre for Research in Education (CIRD), the Lab Centre for Physics Education (CLDF), the Centre for Guidance (CORT), the Research Unit in Physics Education (URDF) and the first Italian Ph.D. in Physics Education; all of which she directed for many years. Her research in Physics Education since 1976 is on content-research to develop a vertical educational path from primary to university level, to overcome conceptual knots by means of experimental exploration and ICT tools. Professor Michelini has published extensively in her field of expertise. 6

7 LORENZO SANTI has held the position of Associate Professor (sector FIS/01, Experimental Physics) at the University of Udine since He held the same position at University of Trieste from He was responsible for the Gruppo Collegato of Udine, Section of Trieste, at the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) between 1999 and He was also Coordinator of the Technological Class of the Specialisation School for Secondary School Teachers at University of Udine from 2006 to He was also director of the Interdepartmental Centre for Didactic research at the University of Udine ( ). Since 2012, he has served as Coordinator for the Physics Area in teacher education (TFA and PAS) at the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment at University of Udine. His scientific activity follows two main streams; he has been involved in the field of Experimental Physics of elementary particles, touching also on some topics in Nuclear and Atomic Physics since 1986 and from 1993 onwards, his scientific activity was mainly in Physics Education. His main areas of research are mostly related to topics touching on curricular development and teacher formation. Within this framework, Lorenzo has conducted research in Physics Education, in national and international projects, focusing on the topics of curricular development and teacher training. His scientific activity is documented in more than 200 internationally peer-reviewed papers. 7

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