Workshop information

1 . Phisycs and Science Curricula in Europe

The political decidion underlying the Bologna process implies that convergence between the different educational systems in Europe will occur with the necessary adaption of curricula in terms of structures, contents as as well as the phrasing of competencies or learning outcomes as a starting point. The workshop is the right forum to learn about physics education systems and to compare diagnoses and remedies proposed in different EU and Central/East European countries.

2. Science Education in Primary School and Kindergarten

-do we need science education in primary school and kindergarten?
-Traning of educators for very young chidren
-Curriculum development
-Development and dissemination of teaching material.
This workshop will be a continuation and extension to what was discussed at Physics on Stage 1.Many independent education studies(PISA,Forum Bilding Germany)have recently emphasized the importance of science education in primary school and Kindergarten.The convenors are amongs the leading experts in Germany,with many publications in this field.

3. Multiple Intelligences Approach to Education in Physics

-Multiple intelligence profiles of children
-Multiple ways of early learning
-Develoment of an intitutive undestanding
-Relation with paedagogical institutions
-Consequences for education
This topic is a response of"Physics on Stage" to the PISA report and the book by Howard Gardner "The unschooled mind,how children think and how schools tesch" (1991,Basic Books,New York)One possible solution to the science teaching problem is to discuss how we meet the variety of ways that human brains,and especially children's brains,learn.This workshop is at the forefront of the discussion in science education.

4.  University-High School Interface

- Contact between schools and universities in different countries
- Keeping students' interest in the transition period
- Senior years of pre-university physics education

5 . The Role of History and Philosophy in Science Teaching

- What part should the history of physics play in physics education?
- How should physics education address the belief that science is either right or wrong?
-Should moral responsibilities be considered as part of physics education?

6 .  School Networks for Physics Experiments

This workshop is a practical one, where real demonstrations will be done in a room with a computer pool, connected to each other, and to the internet, and a beamer. It is a follow-up of a teachers network, which emerged in Germany as idea after the first PoS festival in Geneva. The workshop intends
to widen this network between classes, and perform experiments together.

7.    Teacher Training Courses

-compare the situation in differentes countries
-Quality of the courses?
-Suggestions for organising these courses

It is well recognised that the ongoing training of teachers is vital to the progress of students' education. Many different teaching outlooks and experiences will be brought to Physics on Stage 2. Following discussion new
Suggestion for educational advances could be presented to the General Assembly. The European Community devotes many resources to updating teachers, therefore it could be useful to present them with the resulting
recommendations of this Working Group.

8. Physics in Age of Space Research

The general aim of this workshop is to present the new image of the universe provided by space research and discuss ways by which this image can be best introduced into high school physics curricula. The workshop, taking advantage of the unique circumstance of being hosted in one of the most important space centres in the world, will consist of presentations from leading space science and astrophysics researchers and discussion sessions.

9.   Webphysics for the Classroom
(http://www.physicsnet.at/event2000/POS2/PoS2-workshop9.htm)

The workshop will include:
-how to use the Internet in classrooms
-the use for teachers and students
-how to work with the Internet
-worksheets and achievment targets
-exchange of experience
-what makes a good website for physics teaching
-comparison of useful websites
-demonstration of example websites
-how to cope with "language problems" of student (lower abd higher grade), when using the web

10.    Teacher Exchange Programmes

11.   European Research Organisations and Physics Education

What constribution could / should European research organisations make to physics education?

At what levels should constributions be made?
What proposals are there for the long term?

This workshop will be hosted by the organisations of the newly-created 'EIROFORUM' of European research organisations. Their proposal for Teachers Programme Office will be presented for discussion and recomendations.