This new physics course uses an engaging hands-on method for teaching physics to develop the student’s basic understanding of the subject. The student can then use this knowledge to sit the higher level Leaving Certificate physics exam. The course is designed to help students work in teams to explore how the world works by creating experiments to test their ideas.
The course aims to develop students’ skills in solving real-world problems as well as improving communication and mathematical ability. Teams of students will be asked questions and they will work together to discover the laws of physics. The latest technology will be used throughout the course with students voting online and collecting experimental data using hardware that students programme themselves.
The course is aimed at senior cycle students who would like to study physics, it will enhance the skills of students who are currently studying physics and can also be taken as an extra subject for those students who attend schools where physics is not available. The course will run for four hours every second Saturday and the full course will run over an 18 month period. Students also have the option to take one or two modules only.
The course is run by Declan Holmes of Science Ireland, who has 12 years’ experience in science education and has presented interactive science shows to some 70,000 students in 1,000 schools around the country. The course is based on 10 years of research into the best methods of teaching physics.
An open evening will be held on Thursday, March 21 at 7pm in the Castlebar Celtic Clubhouse just behind the library in Castlebar, all are welcome. For more information call Declan on 087 917 6292 or visit www.physics.ie
