Invicta Vlogs
Physics and Ash (Dr M’s Tortoise)
I love Physics, there is (in my opinion) no other subject that allows you to explore and to some extent understand the world around you.
I love that I can look at something, like a beautiful sunset or the sky at night, and be able not just to appreciate its inherent beauty, which most people can also do, but as well to understand where that beauty comes from, because I know the Physics of it.
Through the learning of Physics, I have gained essential problem-solving skills that I can use in every situation - even those that do not seem to have a link with Physics at all (but they probably do, like fixing a runny buttercream for a cake!). Physics has taught me to solve complex calculations but also to use my hands to fix thing; for example, around the house and most of all, it has taught me to think “outside the box”.
I feel lucky and privileged to have been able to study Physics. The road through my degree, my PhD and finally the PGCE to become a Physics Teacher was not easy. I had to overcome a lot of difficulties, including earning enough money to support myself in my studies and understanding extremely difficult concepts, like Quantum Mechanics and Relativity to pass the exams in order to graduate. But all those obstacles have made me extremely resilient and even to this day, it is unlikely that I give up on anything that I have embarked upon. I continue to work hard and to look at the universe around me with an open mind, knowing that I have enough skills and knowledge to be able to think things over and advance some ideas.
But, how do I get my students to do the same? How do I teach them to embrace Physics for all the skills that they can gain from it? How do I get them to look around and see more than just a projection on their retinas? How do I teach them resilience and hard work?
Well, I have a tortoise, Ash, and despite me not being a particularly sentimental person, she is the one thing that makes my heart flutter. I adore my tortoise; she is the cutest and most interesting creature I have ever come across (my partner may be a little disappointed to find himself in second place for my “affections”). I constantly worry about her safety and I cannot image what my life will be without her. And so, I ‘use’ her in my lessons, because I know that the girls like that; they find it amusing and intriguing and are more willing to solve a Physics problem that involves Dr M’s tortoise doing something.
Ash is a great source of inspiration for my teaching; it allows the girls to have a glimpse into my personal life, which makes them more willing to trust me and follow my advice and make their learning more memorable, while having a bit of a laugh. There is so much Physics behind the way Ash does things and it is amazing how I can use this cute little tortoise to inspire my students (at least some of them) and encourage them to continue to pursue the best subject there is.
Both Physics and Ash are amazing, and when I combine them to deliver a lesson, I cannot fail to draw the attention of my students. I know they will take something away from it - maybe not always the “right” thing, but it will stick and hopefully resonate with them and I think this is what learning is all about.
Click on the video below to watch a short clip of “angry” young Ash and maybe consider her momentum in her collision with the finger!
Dr Marchesini
