Introduction of physics in lower elementary school teaching : forces in nature

Nastava fizike, kao jedno od temeljnih STEM područja, u suvremenom obrazovanju ima sve veći značaj. U ovome radu stavljamo naglasak na rano učenje fizike, osobito koncepte sile. Upoznavanjem djece s konceptima prirodnih znanosti u razrednoj nastavi, dajemo mogućnosti za istraživanje, postavljanje raznih pitanja. Mnoga istraživanja pokazuju da je rano upoznavanje djece sa STEM područjem ključno za njihovo daljnje napredovanje i usmjeravanje ka tim područjima. Nastava fizike u središtu ima fizikalni pokus, koji nam omogućuje zanimljiviji pristup učenicima, te mogućnost njihovog samostalnog istraživanja. Djeca u ranoj dobi su znatiželjna, postavljaju pitanja, stoga trebamo iskoristiti to razdoblje da ih izložimo zanimljivim konceptima sile i potaknemo suradnju i istraživanja. U sklopu ovoga rada pokazujemo kako fiziku možemo uvesti već u razrednoj nastavi kroz koncept sile. Ako se djeca s njima nisu prije susrela, iste pokuse bi bilo dobro izvoditi u okviru odgovarajućih tema u kurikulumu fizike.Physics teaching, as one of the fundamental STEM fields, has an increasing importance in modern education. In this diploma thesis we put emphasis on early learning of physics, especially the concepts of force. By introducing children to the concepts of natural sciences in lower elementary school teaching, we provide opportunities for inquiry and asking questions. Great deal of studies demonstrate that early introducing children to the STEM field is crucial to their further progress and guidance towards these areas. Physics teaching has a physical experiment as its focus, which allows more interesting approach to students, and the possibility for their independent research. Children at an early age are curious and ask questions, therefore, we should use this period to expose them to interesting concepts of force and encourage their collaboration and research. In this diploma thesis we show how physics can be introduced in lower elementary school already, through the concept of force. If children have not encountered them before, the same experiments would be good to perform within the framework of appropriate topics in the physics curriculum