Some subscribers to Phys-L and Physoc might be interested in a post
"Is Physics Difficult? [Hake (2010)]. The abstract reads:
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ABSTRACT: Robert Kaiser of the Physics First List wrote
(paraphrasing): "Why are we still asking the silly question 'Should
children learn some physics ideas in the 7th, 8th or 9th grade?'
OBVIOUSLY THEY SHOULD. We have English reading, writing story
analysis, etc., from 1st grade to 12th grade. Same for History and
Math: children start with almost nothing, but with many years of
exposure, they slowly build up skills. Why should science be the one
subject in which children (realistically) get almost nothing, and
then are thrown to the wolves for 11th grade physics."
The same point was made by Ken Ford (1989) in his Guest Comment "Is
Physics Difficult." Ford wrote: "Six-year-olds write English and . .
. Jeremy Bernstein writes English. What separates them? A long,
gradual incline of increased ability, understanding, and practice.
[But for Physics] we have fashioned a cliff. There is no gradual
ramp, only a near-vertical ascent to its high plateau."
See "Physics First: Opening Battle in the War on Science/Math
Illiteracy?" at <http://bit.ly/bEEwBa> for cartoons which contrast
Lederman's 9th grade physics cliff (page 2) with Ford's P-12
science/math ramp (page 4).
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"For most men, save the scientific workers, science is a mystery in
the hands of initiates, who have become adepts in virtue of following
ritualistic ceremonies from which the profane herd is excluded".
John Dewey (1927) in "The Public and its Problems "
REFERENCES [URL's shortened by <http://bit.ly/> and accessed on 17
November 2010.]
Dewey, J. 1927. "The Public and its Problems," a 1954 edition is
available from Swallow Press. Amazon.com information at
<http://amzn.to/cIW7hf>, note the searchable "Look Inside" feature.
Hake, R.R. 2010. "Is Physics Difficult? (was Why are we still asking
silly questions?)" online on the OPEN AERA-L archives at
<http://bit.ly/9F2jMJ>. Post of 17 Nov 2010 13:11:56-0800 to AERA-L,
Net-Gold, & Physics First. The abstract and link to the complete post
are being transmitted to various discussion lists and are on my blog
"Hake'sEdStuff" at <http://bit.ly/cHd5LJ>.