From light polarization to quantum physics: Supporting lower secondary school students’ transition from gestalt to functional thinking

Bitzenbauer P, Tóth K, Michelini M (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Moment Publications

Book Volume: 20

Article Number: em2449

Journal Issue: 6

DOI: 10.29333/ejmste/14587

Open Access Link: https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/14587

Abstract

In this paper, we present a new minimal mathematical conceptual approach to quantum mechanics using light polarization for lower secondary school students with the aim of bringing students closer to the so-called quantum mechanical way of thinking. We investigated how students think about some of the basic concepts and fundamental laws and we found that certain concepts are quite well-understandable in younger grades too. We studied the introduction of the so-called state circle, which can faithfully represent quantum mechanical formalism without involving students in abstract algebraic calculations. We then categorized and analyzed students’ thoughts on the superposition principle and the lack of trajectory, finding that the concept of measurement and the lack of trajectory were problematic. We explored that younger students tend to hold gestalt-like mental models of quantum concepts, while at the same time being able to use visualizations correctly for reasoning in the quantum realm. Overall, this paper provides evidence in favor of introducing basic features of quantum mechanics as early as in lower secondary school.

Authors with CRIS profile

Philipp Bitzenbauer Department Physik

Involved external institutions

University of Udine / Università degli Studi di Udine IT Italy (IT) Eötvös Loránd University / Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem (ELTE) HU Hungary (HU)

How to cite

APA:

Bitzenbauer, P., Tóth, K., & Michelini, M. (2024). From light polarization to quantum physics: Supporting lower secondary school students’ transition from gestalt to functional thinking. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 20(6). https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/14587

MLA:

Bitzenbauer, Philipp, Kristóf Tóth, and Marisa Michelini. "From light polarization to quantum physics: Supporting lower secondary school students’ transition from gestalt to functional thinking." Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 20.6 (2024).

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