Misconceptions

Young people have many experiences of interacting with physics before they start thinking about it in a formal context at school. Therefore, they have often formed their own ideas about how physics works. Research has shown that taking these student ideas into account greatly improves teaching efficacy. Here, you can discover common misconceptions and children's thinking discussed in the academic literature, as well as strategies and materials for identifying and challenging them in the classroom. At the moment, we have content for three of our seven domains: Forces & Motion, Electricity & Magnetism and Light, Sound & Waves. We are also uploading a series of articles that explore how to challenge misconceptions when teaching physics. Throughout 2020, we'll be extending our coverage and rolling out new content. Check back soon!