Remote access experiment as a facilitator for teaching modern and contemporary physics in secondary schools

Abstract

Many of today’s technological devices are grounded in theories of modern and contemporary physics (MCP). Their introduction into the high school classroom often requires access to sophisticated equipment. This is a difficult situation for public schools in Brazil, where the cost of implementing such laboratories is considered very high. This article introduces and discusses the concept of a Remote Access Laboratory for Modern Physics. This lab is possible because of the internet. It was designed to facilitate the teaching of modern physics in high school. Upon entering the laboratory, the physics teacher has the possibility to perform experiments in modern physics remotely. The lab is configured with remote cameras and automated devices to provide telepresence to attendees. The experiment used in this research was a cloud chamber, which detected cosmic rays and particles from a radioactive source. Two teachers and 150 students from two public high schools participated in this research. The lesson plan was developed to ensure a sequence of activities in the classroom. To evaluate our activities, we conducted interviews with the teachers and applied questionnaires to the students. We identified that after the activity was carried out by the students a greater demand for information on Physics on the internet. In addition, among the capabilities of the recognized laboratory, we mentioned the connection of MCP events to the students’ daily lives. The report of the participating teachers presents a favourable view towards the adoption of this initiative in the classroom for the introduction of modern and contemporary physics.