26–30 Aug 2024
Auditorium Maximum UJ
Europe/Warsaw timezone

Hands-on with Relativity Lab: a simulation environment for special relativity in secondary education

29 Aug 2024, 15:30
1h 30m
Exhibition Room B

Exhibition Room B

Workshop Multimedia, AR, VR and AI in Physics Education Workshop

Speaker

Paul Alstein (Utrecht University)

Description

The theory of special relativity is a notoriously difficult learning objective, especially in secondary education. Relativistic phenomena are counter-intuitive and very remote from everyday experience. Moreover, it is impossible to observe relativistic effects in practical experiments. We designed an online simulation environment, called Relativity Lab, in which students can construct and observe virtual relativistic experiments. A team of researchers and teachers collaboratively designed, performed and evaluated a three-lesson series centered around the use of Relativity Lab. In this workshop, participants are invited to experience Relativity Lab hands-on, with the aim of embedding Relativity Lab in their own teaching practice.

How would you like to present your contribution? Live in Kraków (time slot to be allotted based on the programme)
Target education level Secondary
Category Formal Education

Author

Paul Alstein (Utrecht University)

Co-authors

Dr Kim Krijtenburg-Lewerissa (Utrecht University) Prof. Wouter van Joolingen (Utrecht University)

Presentation materials