Where in the world is physics? Physics in everyday life

Abstract

Connecting high school physics content to everyday life of students is challenging and with students having varying life experiences making connections with each student becomes even harder. By exploring physics through seminar days, inquiry and group activities, and student reflection, students were given shared experiences to make connection to their daily life. By connecting physics curriculum to our everyday experiences, we can learn to apply the basic concepts to investigate safety, learn about nature, space exploration, athletics, the universe, and even a cup of tea. Students participated in pre- and post-treatment surveys, exit slips, science journal reflections, and seminars were used as data collection instruments. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. The results showed the use of seminars and inquiry engaged students in learning. When asked to rank activities carried out in the treatment time, 85% of students ranked a seminar as their first choice for most engaging. Fifty to 85% of students ranked all three seminars in their top three choices.