Enhancing the Teaching and Learning of Physics at Lower Second Level in Ireland

The numbers of students studying physics at upper second level and the low numbers of teachers qualified to teach physics at second level are a matter of concern for the future of STEM education in Ireland and internationally. This study describes a national collaboration focussed on addressing teacher’s approaches to the teaching and learning of physics at lower second level, raising awareness of physics/STEM careers and examining teachers’ and students’ academic resilience and unconscious biases. The findings report on the design and implementation of a physics teacher professional development programme with all lower secondary science teachers from seven Irish second-level schools.