ENHANCING OF PUPILS’ INTEREST FOR NATURAL SCIENCES. MOTIVATION
By VALENTINA DENAITIENĖ,
a teacher-methodologist at the M. Šimelionis Secondary School in
Lentvaris
Integrated projects with the participation of all pupils
and projects for pupils who are extending their knowledge of physics, which in
fact are scientific research projects, are two types of project work that I
employ in my teaching work.
The following scientific research projects were carried
out:
1. Use of the solar energy. A solar energy model for
heating was constructed. Pupils observed the dynamics of water heat depending
on a material of which the device was made, its colour, water temperature and
volume. They also analysed a variety of solar energy solutions for heating of
premises.
2. Measurement of characteristics of ferromagnetic
materials. Testing of Gerkon action characteristics. Pupils analysed in detail
the Gerkon action characteristics in various media, with different voltages and
coils. Conditions for the Gerkon action were established.
3. Testing of the aerodynamic balance of standard means
and aerodynamic resistance. Pupils analysed the dependency of the aerodynamic
resistance on a form, mass and dimensions of a body.
4. The dependency of the intensity of luminescence of
luminescent substances on the illumination. Pupils analysed the dynamics of the
luminescence intensity depending on properties and area of a matter, source
power and duration of illumination, and manufactured a device for observing of
experiments.
5. Astronomical
research “The Earth”. Pupils analysed customs and myths, collected information
about symbols of the Earth on cloths, ceramic articles, furniture, spindles and
buildings. They made drawings on the basis of stories of old people of the
Drabužnikai village.
Participants of the integrated projects may be also
pupils with fewer abilities for physics or those curious to understand a
particular phenomenon. My projects may be integrated with all subjects of the
school.
The following two integrated lessons are the most
interesting: the integrated lesson of physics and mathematics, a joint project
of two schools of Lentvaris: “Applying of the derivative for solving of
problems in physics”. This idea was prompted by the fact that the state exams
in mathematics include some problems in physics that should be solved by using
the derivative. This lesson helped the pupils to better understand the notion
of the derivative and the largest and the smallest value of an interval, and to
employ their knowledge in solving complicated problems in physics, thus better
preparing themselves for the state exams.
The project entitled “Trees in the Lithuanian Literature”
in an integrated lesson of Lithuanian literature, history, ethnic culture,
biology, music, art and physics. A physical part of the project analyses
deforming properties and electro conductivity of Lithuanian trees because near
houses of the ancient Lithuanians grew wormwoods and lime-trees, which had to
protect the houses from the lightning. Other properties such as hardness,
colour, density and inner structure of trees were also analysed.
The integrated lesson of physics, mathematics and art
project entitled “The new age – the new class” is also interesting. With the
purpose of repairing of their room, the pupils have formed four groups: two
groups of mathematicians, one group of physicians and one group of artists. One
group of mathematicians have to make all calculations from area to the price of
repair. Other group of mathematicians went to shops and very honestly collected
information regarding materials used for repair and prices. They analysed the
collected data and made necessary calculations (consumption of paints, putties
etc.). The group of artists analysed the effects of different colours and
selected a colour most appropriate for the room. Meanwhile, the group of
physicians analysed the illumination, diffusion, colours, friction and heat
distribution in the room.