The Theme Park Experience of Teaching Science from the Constructivist Paradigm

Using Theme park rides to teach science/physics is one of the possible authentic experience one can offer to the science students. The physics of the rides as an alternative way of teaching forces, such as, G-force, centrefugal/centrepetal, free fall, acceleration, and conservation of kinetic and potential energy, is definitely an innovation students love to have in their learning experience. And, allowing students to actually experiencing the forces in action and enabling students to actually measuring the forces using a gravitometer that they designed are grand examples of not only meaningful learning can be established but learning with enjoyment can be made achievable too in the students’ learning outcomes. As, students by their youthful nature enjoy the rides such as the roller coasters and the freefall towers that deliver white-knuckle thrills in a safe environment.In our UiTM science education program, among the courses included is a course named SCE553- Creativity and Creative Teaching in Science and Theme Park is one of the major units of the course. This paper shares the course experience in general and in particular pertaining to the unit of Theme Park as an alternative way of teaching science/physics. The unit of Theme Park organized around three main innovative activities, there are, 1. Designing a gravitometer, 2. The theme park rides, and 3. A class presentation/discussion of the science/physics of the rides. The SCE553 course structure is designed using the constructivist framework emphasizing inquiry approaches in teaching, highlighting among others, the creative dimension in the learning outcome. The paper also offers a brief description of the course philosophy and its outlines. Learning outcomes as seen from the eyes of student-teachers as appeared in their reflective essays will be shared in order for the reader to capture the true essence of a constructivist approach in teaching that not only nurturing the creative and innovative elements in the student- teachers but also the soft skills, such as, leadership, communication, and presentation.