Let´s make physics fun! For everyone
Author: Kristýna Vávrová
On 18th to 20th May FoS UHK hosted for the first time a conference called Elixir to Schools, biggest event of such kind in Czech Republic for almost 200 teachers who came to Hradec Králové to get inspiration and expand their horizons of how to teach physics meaningfully.
"Our vision is for all children in schools to have fun learning physics. To learn fully and with joy," summes up the mission of the nonprofit organization of the same name founded by the Foundation of the Česká spořitelna, its director Petra Proskova.
Jan Kříž, Vice-Rector of Strategy and Development of UHK who also teaches at the Department of Physics FoS UHK, also supports this idea: "Teaching physics is not indifferent to us, we are keen to improve, and events such as Elixir to Schools certainly improve the quality of school education." He also notes that the UHK is a natural place to hold such a conference: "Our Department of Physics is a department with a long tradition of didactics of physics, so we are glad to be able to host the Elixir to Schools at our faculty."
The three-day conference program consisted of lectures, such as Mobile Phone Myths, the second part included workshops in which participants produced, for example, non-traditional aircraft that could be powered by a piece of cardboard, learned how to use known Czech films or to produce magnetic fluid. Because the interest in practical workshops often exceeds their potential capacity, this year's 5th year has been expanded by two innovations: "This year, the conference was also enriched with topics on digital technologies and their involvement in teaching and the Inspiration Forum," added Petra Proskova.
Elixir to Schools has brought together active teachers from different levels of schools and regions of the country, who are not indifferent to the teaching of natural sciences, which is also valued by Jan Kříž: "Among the participants were some of our graduates and we are delighted they continue to actively pursue self-education and find new ways in physics didactics."
