Value education through physics : design, development and evaluation of a set of worksheets for secondary schools

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to develop a set of five exercises related to Value Education. These are meant to create an awareness of and reflection upon common values such as the appreciation of nature, integrity, responsibility and the appreciation of the common good. This was attained through particular themes present in the Physics syllabus. These themes were (i) Energy, (ii) Nuclear physics, (iii) Lives of scientists and (iv) The Earth and the universe. A set of worksheets comprising both individual and group work were design and developed. Eventually a number of seminars were organized in different schools (Area Secondary, Church Schools and Junior Lyceums). Both girls and boys between the age of thirteen and sixteen years participated in the seminars. The feedback given by the students was analyzed and some important conclusions drawn. First and foremost, Maltese Secondary School students are able to reflect about values and life given an educational context. The depth of the reflections depends on the age and the value developmental process in which they are. The research also showed that the science teachers interviewed were willing to include similar material in their coursework. A website with all the material prepared was set up for anyone to make use of.