Insegnare e apprendere la fisica nella scuola dell’infanzia e primaria ( Università di Torino) Teaching and learning physics in preschool and primary school (University of Turin)

The “Physics and Physics Education” module of the Master degree in Primary Education at the University of Turin follows the recommendations of the Ministerial Decree (DM 249/2010), integrated with methodologies and contents suggested by the National guidelines for curriculum of the preschool and of the first cycle of education (2012). The physics module pays particular attention to the analysis of mental representations of children (and of the students of the Master degree themselves) in the fields of physical and astronomical sciences. Also, it exploits the history of physics as a useful tool for teacher training and children learning. This approach has recently materialized in a university textbook for teaching physics in preschool and primary school. The physics education laboratories connected to the physics module are characterized by the design and implementation of didactic experiences with everyday materials and are enriched by residential activities in training structures in the area.