About the project
STELLER is a collaboration between the Physics Education research section, Norwegian Nuclear Research Centre, and Norwegian Centre for Science Education at UiO, and physics teachers and students in Norwegian upper secondary school. The project combines development of learning resources with research on student learning and motivation in nuclear physics.
Goals
To develop research based, digital learning resources in nuclear physics which
- are in line with the LK20 physics curriculum
- focus especially on new knowledge of nucleosynthesis of elements in stars and neutron star mergers
- make use of digital tools such as video, animations, and simulations
- allow students to learn through social interactions and use basic skills in physics
- allow students to learn about the nature of physics and its scientific practices
- motivate students by supporting their interests and demonstrating relevance for society and jobs
To contribute to physics education research with knowledge about teaching, learning, and motivation in nuclear physics, especially about nucleosynthesis of elements in stars and neutron star mergers
To create a community of practice where physics teachers, physics experts, and physics educators exchange competence and develop knowledge about nuclear physics among physics students and in society more broadly. Master students from the the study programmes Science Teaching, Physics and Astronomy, and/or Nuclear Technology will also be part of this community.
Background
In 2017, physicists made the first observation of the merger of two neutron stars and a range of heavy elements being created in the process. Physics textbooks had to be rewritten and the LK20 physics curriculum now states that students should learn about "how elements are created as stars live, merge, and die" (Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training, 2021).
There is a need for good and scientifically updated learning resources, and for more research on the teaching and learning within these topics. STELLER addresses this need by combining expertise in several areas: nuclear physics research, physics education research, and development of digital learning resources in science, as well as a grounding in physics teaching practice among physics teachers.
Methods
The project uses design-based research (DBR) as a methodological framework. The goal of DBR is twofold:
- To develop research based learning resources suited for the target group
- To develop research based insights into student understanding and learning
Working towards both goals involves repeated cycles of development of learning resources, classroom trials with data collection and analysis, and revision of learning resources based on the trials. Within the frame of DBR, different data and research questions will be addressed using suitable methods of analyses and theoretical perspectives. One example is The model of educational reconstruction, which can be used to reconstruct a new field of knowledge (here nucleosynthesis in neutron star mergers) to a presentation suitable for learning.
Progress plan
- Spring and autumn 2027: Publishing of research about teaching and learning related to the development and use of the learning resources
- Autumn 2026: Publishing of completed learning resource on viten.no.
- Spring 2026: Trials with revised learning resource, collecting data among students and teachers, revision of learning resource
- Autumn 2025: Revision and further development of learning resource
- Spring 2025: Analyses of data from trials
- Spring 2025: Classroom trials at a few schools in the greater Oslo area, collecting data among students and teachers
- Winter 2024-25: Development of the first version of a learning resource on viten.no