Learning physics. The joy of scientific discovery

Abstract

Physics, with Kopernik, Galileo and Newton became first science with a modern methodology: observation – analysis – mathematical model. What is the source of the scientific success of physics is the reason for didactical difficulties – pupils must understand the verbal description, translate it to mathematical formalism and relate it to the real world. Humanistic currents from second half of last century – cognitivism, constructivism and pedagogical perspectives – would facilitate teaching physics. We show how apply these concepts, at different ages of pupils, in an interactive teaching, based on real, simple experiments.