Abstract:
This article examines the role of the school physics laboratory in ensuring the constructivist nature of learning. For this purpose, the school physics laboratory is viewed as a learning environment which, through its equipment and organization, can support a wide range of constructivist teaching approaches: inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, problem-based learning, and visible teaching and learning. The research question is: „How can school physics laboratory be organized in such a way as to ensure active learning for students?” To this end, the paper analyzes the correlation between the laboratory work topics and the middle school physics curriculum, and proposes a list of laboratory works that can both develop students’ scientific research skills and ensure their deep understanding of big scientific ideas. As physics is an experimental science, a list of demonstrative experiments is also provided in order to accompany physics lessons. Furthermore, the paper highlights the role of digital teaching tools in motivating students both in the learning process and in ensuring their scientific understanding of the laws and phenomena studied.
