Università Roma Tre

The course of Physics and Didactics of Physics, in addition to enriching the disciplinary knowledge, is designed to stimulate the passion for scientific adventure, constantly using the scientific method and the laboratory approach, both providing the basics and analyzing some fundamental stages of the history of physics; in order to let future teachers develop their mastery in carrying out simple experiments, both in the classroom and outdoors, with the aim of intriguing, inducing observation and conveying contents to small future students.
Contents integrate the use of different teaching methods, also through the use of computer systems, offering course students fun activities, stories and / or fairy tales dedicated to children.
Integrano i contenuti l'utilizzo di differenti metodologie didattiche, anche attraverso l'utilizzo di sistemi informatici, proponendo agli studenti del corso attività ludiche, racconti e/o fiabe dedicate ai bambini.
Course contents:
Introduction to physics and physics education for primary education. The historical-epistemological roots of physics, the role of theories, models and laws. The principles of physics and the nature of physical quantities. Units of measurement, directly and inversely proportional quantities, scalar and vector quantities, operations with vectors.
The aspects of the natural world studied by the different branches of physics. Some examples of physical phenomena within the reach of infantile observation: position and motion of celestial bodies, gravity, lever, pendulum, uniform rectilinear motion, elasticity, light reflection, buoyancy.
Elements of physics. Topics chosen in the field of mechanics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, electrostatics, magnetism, wave phenomena, light, optics and astronomy will be discussed, aimed at understanding the way in which scientific knowledge can be elementary and proposed to children . For example: harmonic motion, the balance of bodies, temperature, sound and music phenomena, the conduction of electricity and the transport of heat.
Laboratory
In the laboratory's training activities, critical tools will be provided to make informed and effective choices in planning and conducting educational activities aimed at children in the field of Physics, with particular regard to laboratory activities.

Contents of the Laboratory:

1. Introduce children to the world of physics: words and what they evoke (strength, energy, balance), examples, narratives, observations, experiments.
2. Teaching materials for approaching physical phenomena: subsidiaries, scientific readings for children, measuring instruments.

Main:
O. Biondo, G. Chirico: Insegnare la fisica nella scuola primaria - Carocci editore. ISBN: 8843096060
Paola Magrone, Ana Millàn Gasca.I bambini e il pensiero scientifico. Il lavoro di Mary Everest Boole. Carocci Editore. ISBN: 9788843090273
A few notes and slides which will be made available on-line as pdf files.
U.Amaldi: Le traiettorie della fisica.azzurro, seconda ediz, Meccanica, Termodinamica e Onde. Zanichelli. ISBN: 9788808665119

Recommended for further reading:
Daniela Allasia, Valentina Montel, Giuseppina Rinaudo. La fisica per maestri. Ed. Libreria Cortina. ISBN: 9788882390952