Greek MOOC of Experiments with Simple Materials for Students Generates Significant Findings for Teachers and Physics Education

摘要

In October 2019, the first Greek Massive}O {{pen Online Course on science experiments for students took place online and lasted five weeks. Its content consisted of a substantial number of science experiments based on the school curriculum with simple, everyday materials. The audience addressed were not only students but also science teachers and people interested in science. A total of 7266 enrollments were recorded, the vast majority of participants being teachers of primary and secondary education. The data received during the course and the statistics that followed revealed notable findings on the need for epistemological development among teachers teaching science and engineering, the extent of teaching through experiments in Greek schools, the gender-biased inequalities in the communities of students and teachers, and the challenges that exist in the field. The course was repeated in March 2020 as soon as the pandemic spread in the country.