Learning physics the enjoyable way<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Physics can be fun, if you start by learning the
\nsimple basic concepts found in everyday life instead of merely
\ncramming tricky formulae and complicated numbers.<\/p>\n
At least that is what Yohanes Surya, President of the Asia
\nPhysics Olympiad claims.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the Dunia Fantasi Science Festival 2001 at the
\nDunia Fantasi (Fantasy World) amusement park in Ancol, North
\nJakarta, Yohanes urged teachers to use more innovative and novel
\napproaches in making physics more appealing to their students.<\/p>\n
"The most common mistake made by physics teachers is that they
\nalways make students memorize the formulae first, instead of
\nintroducing the basic concepts of physics," Yohanes said.<\/p>\n
He admitted that physics formulae can be daunting to students,
\nbut once they are made aware of how useful and widely used
\nphysics concepts are, students will be more interested in
\nstudying the subject further.<\/p>\n
Teachers' creativity in presenting the subject plays a major
\npart in sparking the interest of students, he added.<\/p>\n
Fancy laboratory gadgets are not a mandatory requirement in
\npresenting physics; teachers can use inexpensive teaching aids to
\ninstill basic physics concepts.<\/p>\n
"For example, if a table tennis ball is placed on the nozzle
\nof an activated hairdryer, it won't fall off ... This makes for
\nan interesting demonstration (on the laws of physics)," Yohanes
\npointed out.<\/p>\n
"Teachers can then explain the physics concept and formula
\nbehind it," Yohanes told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Yohanes, who also president of the Indonesian Physics
\nDevelopment Institution (LPFI), said the institution continues to
\nencourage teachers to adopt such approaches in their teaching.<\/p>\n
Another common alternative is to encourage students to
\nparticipate in scientific events, such as the science festival
\ncurrently being held at Dunia Fantasi.<\/p>\n
"Amusement parks such as Dunia Fantasi are like giant physics
\nlaboratories, there are physics concepts being utilized all
\naround us," Yohanes said.<\/p>\n
The science festival at Dunia Fantasi will continue until Aug.
\n25.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the aptitude level of Indonesian students in the
\nphysics field, Yohanes said he was proud of many of the young
\naspiring physicists.<\/p>\n
He claimed that Indonesian students are not behind in the
\nfield compared to their Asian counterparts. However, he
\nacknowledged that schools here were often limited in the number
\nof facilities and qualified educators available.<\/p>\n
Despite these obstacles, Indonesian participants in regional
\nand international physics olympiad have continued to excel.<\/p>\n
"In the World Physics Olympiad in 1999, Made Agus Wirawan from
\nBali won the gold medal," he said.(06)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/learning-physics-the-enjoyable-way-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}