In recent years, the issues of climate change, carbon footprint and efficient energy use have come to the fore. The world is increasingly turning to the exploration and use of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy as well as the energy of water and wind. In the field of physics education, numerous sources and research results can be found that show that even 9th- graders have misconceptions about physical concepts related to light, energy, heat and temperature. Therefore, during our lessons a close attention should be paid to provide students with a stimulating learning environment where they can think about physical concepts and relate and explain them to everyday situations. In this way, students not only acquire knowledge, but at the same time develop their creativity, skills and discover approaches to solve projects and problem tasks more efficiently and successfully.
As part of my Master's thesis, I designed various teaching materials on the topic of parabolic solar cookers. They combine the physical topics of light, energy, temperature and heat. Several examples of solar cookers were made and analysed and those that proved suitable for use in the classroom were selected. The students used the selected cookers as part of their experimental work in physics lessons.
A pedagogical research was conducted with a group of ten 9th- graders from a selected primary school. I tried to find out how well the students connect and applied their knowledge of physics in a new life situation. After the activity, the progress of the students' knowledge was closely monitored and the students' evaluation of the activity was followed. I also investigated how they evaluate their newly acquired knowledge and skills when performing the activity with a parabolic solar cooker.
Through activities with solar cookers, the students combined their knowledge well and showed a great deal of ingenuity in a new life situation. Through the activities, all the students showed progress in their knowledge and were very satisfied with the activity carried out and told that they would like to see more of this way of teaching.
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