Historical Challenges of Physics Education

• Challenges in Physics Education in Iran

  Systemic and Structural Issues

  One of the fundamental problems in Iran’s education system lies in its sub-institutional structures, which are not based on scientific thinking or rational policy design. These structures — from school boards to teacher training organizations — often lack long-term planning grounded in empirical research. Reforming these infrastructures isn’t a task that can be achieved overnight. It requires 50 to 100 years of consistent effort, including political will, investment in teacher development, and cultural change. Yet, unfortunately, the upper-level management of education rarely treats physics education as a core scientific institution — that is, a space where inquiry, experimentation, modeling, and theoretical refinement flourish. Instead, it’s seen as an old subject to be administered, not cultivated.Physics Education Radio is discussing about these topics!

  Outdated Curriculum and Methods

  The methods used to teach physics in Iran — and many other countries — are severely outdated. For decades, the emphasis has been on rote delivery of content, often in the form of dense textbooks filled with equations, with little room for exploration or curiosity. A classic example involves asking students to estimate distances on a millimeter ruler by eye, as if that somehow cultivates precision or understanding of measurement uncertainty. This task, while once valuable, has become obsolete with the advent of digital calipers and laser measuring tools. But the curriculum still clings to it. Such approaches drain students’ motivation, because they are not aligned with the tools, challenges, and questions of the modern world. Instead of inspiring students, they alienate them.

  Overemphasis on Memorization

  Physics, in practice, is about discovering patterns in the natural world and understanding the principles that govern those patterns. However, in the classroom, it is too often reduced to a shallow game of memorizing formulas and plugging numbers into equations. Students are taught to solve problem after problem without ever being asked to question why the formula works, where it comes from, or what it means physically. True physics education should prioritize conceptual understanding, causal reasoning, and critical thinking — skills that are transferable far beyond the physics classroom. Education must begin not just with answers, but with questions that matter: Why does the apple fall? What is energy? How do we know what we know?

  Underrepresentation in Broader Education

  Physics is not a niche field; it plays a central role in many domains: medical imaging, agriculture technologies, wireless communication, energy infrastructure, even the structure of musical instruments and art conservation. Despite this wide-ranging influence, its role is barely felt in the broader educational ecosystem. In many schools, physics is presented as an optional subject or one reserved only for students on science tracks. Worse, many vocational schools (honarestan) offer little or no physics instruction at all, despite the fact that technicians and applied science professionals rely on physical principles daily. This gap reveals a deep undervaluation of what physics can offer society.

  Societal Perceptions of Physics Education

  Questioning Its Relevance

  For more than half a century, a recurring question in Iranian public discourse has been: “Why do we need physics?” It’s not uncommon for students, parents, or even policymakers to wonder whether physics has any direct relevance to practical life. This perception has led to a loss of societal enthusiasm toward the subject. However, advocates argue that physics is not merely a tool for engineering or space exploration, but a framework for thinking — one that teaches people how to analyze, model, and solve problems in every domain of life.

  Physics = Formulas and Numbers

  Another common misconception is the belief that physics is just a collection of numbers and formulas. Many students, and even teachers, see physics as a “calculation subject” with no room for creativity. This view strips the subject of its philosophical and exploratory essence — its ability to make sense of the world, to connect the seen and unseen, and to unravel the laws behind complex phenomena. Physics, at its core, is about uncovering order in chaos, not just solving equations on paper.

  For the Elites Only?

  There’s also a persistent belief that physics is only for geniuses — a subject reserved for the intellectually gifted, the Olympiad winners, or those who plan to become engineers or scientists. This elitist image does a disservice to the field. In reality, physics belongs to everyone, because the physical world belongs to everyone. You don’t need to be Einstein to ask good questions about nature. The idea that physics is only for the “best and brightest” limits access and kills motivation for the average student, many of whom could thrive in physics if given the right environment.

  Knowledge as an Endpoint in Physics Education Radio

  In the current educational culture, knowledge is often treated as a final destination: once you’ve memorized the formula or passed the exam, your journey is over. This mindset is profoundly anti-scientific. Physics — and all sciences — thrive on the idea that every answer leads to a deeper question. By framing knowledge as a launchpad for curiosity, rather than a checklist of facts, we can reinvigorate the love of learning that education should cultivate. But without systemic change, students will continue to see learning as a burden rather than a joy.

  Lack of Educational Appreciation

  Lastly, there’s a deep cultural undervaluation of physics education, even in places where it should thrive — like vocational and technical schools. Teachers frequently report that physics is viewed as abstract, irrelevant, or unnecessary. This outlook limits not only the career possibilities of students but also their ability to understand the technologies and machines they work with daily. Bringing physics back into these environments — in a practical, applied, and hands-on way — could have enormous impact.

  [/ux_text]