Integrating Science and Social Issues in the Introductory Physics Curriculum

Author / Creator

AAPT SM21 (2021)

Conferences

AAPT SM21 PS.F-WE-07: PER: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion IV (2021)

Available as

Online

Summary

In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the need for inclusive physics curricula to help address the lack of diversity and representation in the field. Integrating social issues into t...

In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the need for inclusive physics curricula to help address the lack of diversity and representation in the field. Integrating social issues into the physics curriculum has the potential to "change the culture of science to be more welcoming and inclusive" by broadening the cultural contexts in which scientific knowledge is created and science is practiced. In this presentation, I will discuss a multi-week course assignment for which students were required to read the book, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, and to respond to the scientific and social issues in the story. Kamkwamba's autobiographical narrative of his innovative construction of a windmill is suffused with introductory physics concepts embedded in an intense social context of poverty, famine, deforestation and climate change in his native Malawi. The talk will discuss details of the project as well as student attitudes and responses to the assignment.

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