Learning physics the enjoyable way
Learning physics the enjoyable way
JAKARTA (JP): Physics can be fun, if you start by learning the
simple basic concepts found in everyday life instead of merely
cramming tricky formulae and complicated numbers.
At least that is what Yohanes Surya, President of the Asia
Physics Olympiad claims.
Speaking at the Dunia Fantasi Science Festival 2001 at the
Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy World) amusement park in Ancol, North
Jakarta, Yohanes urged teachers to use more innovative and novel
approaches in making physics more appealing to their students.
"The most common mistake made by physics teachers is that they
always make students memorize the formulae first, instead of
introducing the basic concepts of physics," Yohanes said.
He admitted that physics formulae can be daunting to students,
but once they are made aware of how useful and widely used
physics concepts are, students will be more interested in
studying the subject further.
Teachers' creativity in presenting the subject plays a major
part in sparking the interest of students, he added.
Fancy laboratory gadgets are not a mandatory requirement in
presenting physics; teachers can use inexpensive teaching aids to
instill basic physics concepts.
"For example, if a table tennis ball is placed on the nozzle
of an activated hairdryer, it won't fall off ... This makes for
an interesting demonstration (on the laws of physics)," Yohanes
pointed out.
"Teachers can then explain the physics concept and formula
behind it," Yohanes told The Jakarta Post.
Yohanes, who also president of the Indonesian Physics
Development Institution (LPFI), said the institution continues to
encourage teachers to adopt such approaches in their teaching.
Another common alternative is to encourage students to
participate in scientific events, such as the science festival
currently being held at Dunia Fantasi.
"Amusement parks such as Dunia Fantasi are like giant physics
laboratories, there are physics concepts being utilized all
around us," Yohanes said.
The science festival at Dunia Fantasi will continue until Aug.
25.
Commenting on the aptitude level of Indonesian students in the
physics field, Yohanes said he was proud of many of the young
aspiring physicists.
He claimed that Indonesian students are not behind in the
field compared to their Asian counterparts. However, he
acknowledged that schools here were often limited in the number
of facilities and qualified educators available.
Despite these obstacles, Indonesian participants in regional
and international physics olympiad have continued to excel.
"In the World Physics Olympiad in 1999, Made Agus Wirawan from
Bali won the gold medal," he said.(06)