Editorial — Bringing Nobel Prize physics to high schools

Today much of the ethical and political decision-making involves some understanding of the nature of science, its strengths and limits. There is perhaps no better or more recent example of this need, than the debate that arose around the discovery of the Higgs Boson and the operation of LHC at CERN, which has sparked the imagination of authors of works of fiction, occasionally causing concern among the general public. To understand the role of science in deliberations about the projected outcomes of the experiments taking place in the LHC, their safety and value – given the immense investment in human and other resources involved – all students, including future scientists need…

An academy to promote inquiry-based science education

In early July, the European Physical Society [EPS] brought together in Panormo, Greece, experts in science education for a workshop to define the framework for the development of the European Science Education Academy [ESEA].

In 2009, a meeting was held under the auspices of the EPS to discuss among stakeholders how to better coordinate activities in physics education. The participants recognised the need to work together on issues such as ensuring high-level pedagogic content and to increase teachers’ effectiveness in schools. The promotion of a…