A vertical path proposal on magnetic and electromagnetic phenomena and superconductivity based on hands-on experiments

Abstract

Focusing on magnetic and electromagnetic phenomena offers a coherent teaching/ learning path in a vertical curriculum perspective. Primary students start exploring the space around a magnet, and secondary school students analyze the concept of flux of a magnetic field and electromagnetic induction, ending with the analysis of superconductivity phenomena with exploration of the magnetic field in matter. This learning environment at the workshop offers an experience of Conceptual Labs of Operative Exploration (CLOE Labs), engaging participants in working groups by means of semi-structured interviews and inquiry analyses to experience the way in which conceptual knots, known in literature, can be faced by means of inquirybased learning (IBL) strategies. The IBL approach adopted in the workshop is based on a set of hands-on/minds-on explorative experiments designed with simple apparatus and multimedia tools.