The Junior College science museum : motivating students to learn physics interactively through history

Abstract

The main aim of this dissertation is to use the Junior College Science Museum to enhance motivation for learning physics through hands-on activities in the museum. After studying how this aim could be reached, a resource pack having a constructivist approach to learning was developed. This resource pack consists of guide sheets and worksheets. The guide sheets include the history, principles and applications of the physics of the exhibits displayed at the museum. Such a resource was developed for teachers to have all the background information needed for a visit. Worksheets were also included in this pack for the students visiting the museum. These worksheets would engage them in the activities prepared. Such activities were planned to give the possibility to the students to use relatively old apparatus in hands-on activities, make observations and discuss the outcomes. In this way a visit at the museum would help to enhance learning in physics. A website (URL: www.educ.um.edu.mt/sm) was also developed to facilitate remote preparation for the visits and promote the museum. This could be achieved because the website includes basic information about the museum, the resource pack for download and a facility to book online. All these resources were tested, and from the analysis of the feedback obtained, any needed modifications were made.