Richard and other friends
It appears to be quiet on the front of learning science. But in reality it may
not be so.
Regarding learning of physics, yes, I have something to share with you friends.
See
my Letter to the Editor of COSPAR IB 156, p. 107, April 2003.


---------------------------------------------------------
The Public Understanding of Physics


The COSPAR community will be aware already of the decision of the European
Physical Society (EPS) to celebrate 2005 as the World Year of Physics -
coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Einstein's Special Relativity. The EPS
has suggested a focus of attention on issues like promotion of the public
understanding of physics and physical sciences, physics in education and the
great challenges of physics. Research work in physics education, reported in the
last quarter of the 20th century, shows that problems in the comprehension of
basic concepts is one of the great challenges for physicists and teachers in the
21st century. In addition, as illustrated by my Letter to the Bulletin, which
was dedicated to the memory of Professor Dennis Sciama (in the COSPAR
Information Bulletin 152, Dec. 2001, p. 53), there is a necessity to restudy and
reassesss some topics of physics education.


Therefore, now, I feel a need to take a lead in organizing an International
Conference on Public Understanding of Physics - that is, ICPUP - in the year
2005. Through this, I intend to initiate the following:

(i) appeal to students and the public, worldwide, to raise questions
(co-ordinated through me), in physics education, which they feel are
inadequately answered,

(ii) select questions and forward them to experts for possible answers /
comments.

This would be done until the end of 2004 and would identify the truly major
questions, which should be addressed by the ICPUP.


This activity will probably appeal to many and would be of great benefit to the
physics education community. However, despite wishing to take a lead in this, I
am not now associated with any research institute / university, and, moreover, I
will retire in August 2005. Therefore, to do this work, I would need support
from any agency for funding the ICPUP as well as for the Web site of ICPUP.


Therefore, I appeal to the COSPAR community, to consider the ICPUP idea, and, in
particular, methods for funding. I request readers of the COSPAR Information
Bulletin to send their questions, suggestions to me directly by e-mail or by
post. I am willing to provide the information of my work to COSPAR and other
interested agencies.


I look forward to your responses.


From: Dileep V. Sathe, dileepsathe@...

2 Preranaa Apts., A-40, Kasturbaa Society, Dighi Post, Pune, MH, 411015, India

Phone: +91-020-6696965


Reprinted by the Author from the COSPAR Information Bulletin # 156, April 2003,
P. 107


--------------------------The End----------------------------

In addition to the ICPUP, I am willing to consider regional, local level
conferences also. Interested list members, please contact me directly.


----- Original Message -----
From: RICHARD CHAPMAN
To: learning-science-concepts@...
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 6:47 PM
Subject: Re: LSC: All quiet on the learning science front?


To: Dr. Keith Taber
From: Richard Chapman

Is anyone doing any studies on how students learn physics at A level and/or
problem solve?




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