COLLAPSING SCHOOL PHYSICS ENROLLMENTS: MICRO-CREDENTIAL COURSES FOR UPSKILLING TEACHERS IN EINSTEINIAN PHYSICS : Empowering educators

David Blair; Anastasia Lonshakova; Jesse Santoso; Tejinder Kaur; Kyla Adams; Shachar  Boublil; David Treagust; David  Wood; Li Ju; Johanna  Stalley; Susan  Scott

Authors

David Blair The University of Western Australia
Anastasia Lonshakova
Jesse Santoso The University of Western Australia
Tejinder Kaur The University of Western Australia
Kyla Adams The University of Western Australia
Shachar Boublil The University of Western Australia
David Treagust Curtin University
David Wood The University of Western Australia
Li Ju The University of Western Australia
Johanna Stalley The University of western Australia
Susan Scott The Australian National University

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of novel micro-credential courses that have been developed as part of an academic response to the catastrophic decline in high school physics enrollments from 2015 to 2023 in which the gender gap is seen to be increasing. First, we present the need for disrupting the existing school curriculum, so as to replace obsolete 19^th century content with modern content consistent with our best modern “Einsteinian” understanding of physical reality. Next, we outline the concept of the Einstein-First curriculum and present trial outcomes of our new school science curriculum called Eight Steps to Einstein’s Universe and Math’s for Einstein’s Universe that show outstanding benefits in terms of student attitudes to physics and gender equity. Then we present our approach to retraining teachers and outline the micro-credential course. Finally, we present preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of the teacher upskilling. The program demonstrates the benefits of offering upskilling programs in physics with no pre-requisites, offering possibilities for extending physics education far beyond the conventional demographics.

Author Biographies

David Blair, The University of Western Australia

Emeritus Professor David Blair
David G. Blair is an Australian physicist and professor at the University of Western Australia and Director of the Australian International Gravitational Research Centre. Blair works on methods for the detection of gravitational waves. He developed the Einstein-First program in 2013
Jesse Santoso, The University of Western Australia

Dr. Jesse Santoso
Jesse Santoso is a physicist with a background in both experimental and theoretical plasma physics. His research has explored themes of nuclear fusion, renewable technologies, and green chemistry. He has significant experience teaching physics at a university level in both in-person and online formats. His primary activities include developing online teacher-training resources, producing teacher-training demonstration videos, and overseeing our Einsteinian Science Micro-credential courses.
Tejinder Kaur, The University of Western Australia

Tejinder (Jyoti) Kaur completed her Ph.D. in 2018 from the University of Western Australia. She has worked in the Einstein-First project since 2013. Jyoti has a masters degree in Education as well as Physics. Jyoti is interested in science education and research.
Kyla Adams, The University of Western Australia

Kyla Adams

Kyla Adams is a physicist and science communicator who gained her Bachelor of Science (Physics) at the Queensland University of Technology. She then moved to Melbourne to do graduate research in gravitational waves and quantum liquids. Throughout her studies, she has been involved with various outreach and mentoring activities. She is currently completing her PhD in physics and education with Einstein-First.
Shachar Boublil, The University of Western Australia

Shon Boublil
Shon Boublil is an educational researcher, physicist and accomplished classical and jazz musician. He holds a bachelor degree in physics from Concordia University in Montreal and a bachelor degree in music from Berklee in Boston. His master’s degree is in physics education (didactique des sciences physique) at Laval University in Quebec. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D in physics and education at the University of Western Australia.
David Treagust, Curtin University

Professor David Treagust
David Treagust is John Curtin Distinguished Professor of Science Education in the School of Education at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. Formerly a secondary science teacher, his research interests are related to understanding students’ ideas about science concepts, how they contribute to conceptual change and can be used to enhance the design of curricula and teachers’ classroom practice.
David Wood , The University of Western Australia

David A. Wood
David Wood is a former education and school administrator and physics teacher. In retirement, David works in a voluntary capacity to represent the Science Teachers Association of Western Australia on the Einstein-First program. David’s interests and expertise include: school leadership, reform and improvement; curriculum reform; education program design and implementation; and advancing the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in schools agenda.
Li Ju , The University of Western Australia

Professor Li Ju
Li Ju is a Physicist at the Department of Physics, UWA. She is one of the chief investigators in the Australian Research Council Linkage Project “International collaboration in the teaching and learning of Einsteinian physics at schools”. Her other research interest is on experimental gravitational wave detection techniques.
Johanna Stalley, The University of western Australia

Johanna Stalley
Johanna has a passion for STEM education with a focus on engaging and inspiring students in mathematics and the sciences. She believes that the development of skills in cross-disciplinary, critical and creative thinking, problem solving and digital technologies are essential for our students. Previously, she was the Project Officer on The STEM Learning Project for the Department of Education where she coordinated the development of STEM learning resources for WA primary and secondary students in alignment with the SCSA curriculum. In addition, Johanna coordinated and delivered professional learning activities to promote the STEM Learning Project in Western Australian metropolitan and regional schools, and at national science conferences. As a Project Officer at Scitech, she enhanced community and student engagement through innovative program designs. Lecturing for the School of Education at a University and maintaining a part-time role as a Science teacher in a primary school ensures Johanna has an ongoing connection with today’s students.
Susan Scott, The Australian National University

Professor Susan Scott
Susan Scott is a Distinguished Professor of Theoretical Physics in the ANU Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics in the Research School of Physics and is also a Chief Investigator with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery OzGrav (ANU node). She is an expert in general relativity, gravitational waves and black holes. She helps to coordinate Einstein-First’s collaborators and activities in the ACT and NSW.