The Importance of Teaching Students Simple Physics
Tools have been an important part of our lives since the stone age. For the most part, they are what separate us from the other species on the earth. One does not need to know the physics behind how tools work; however, in order to understand higher level physics, the basic ideas and concepts can be found in these simple machines.
No matter what profession one chooses for life, be it a writer or, to use a former example, a brain surgeon, one must use some sort of tool. Understanding the physics behind the tool allows one to utilize it to its fullest capacity. A writer needs to understand the flow of the ink from the tube in order to fully maximize its use, so that he/she does not waste money replacing a tool that may not be broken. A brain surgeon definitely needs to understand the physics behind his or her tools. Suction, sutures, scalpel all require a knowledge of physics to completely take full advantage of. Even people who are not part of the workforce are still subject to the laws of physics.
Force, motion and gravity affect us all. We do not need to know the formulas or the specific Newton's law regarding physics to make it in this world. But knowing certain things makes life a lot simpler, and allows us to make complex technological advances. Knowing the basis for how small things work allow learners to move on to more advanced material. Combining simple machines allowed for technological advances. A knowledge of the concepts of physics isn't necessary to invent machines. Tools were invented before physics was defined. The inventor or user didn't think to himself or herself, "This works because of physics"; they just worked through trial and error. If it worked, then it worked. If it didn't, back to the drawing board. Many flying machines not were tried before the word physics was invented. People didn't give up. They tried and tried until they succeeded in building a flying machine: the airplane.
Only through physics and an understanding of physics, or more specifically aerodynamics, could the airplane be perfected so that today tens of thousands of flights occur daily, usually without incident.
Students need to be given an opportunity in a safe environment to explore through trial and error the many dimensions of physics. In order to be as self-sufficient as possible, students need to know how to properly operate the basic tools one would find in a tool kit. One should know the basic functions of these inventions. There is no greater satisfaction than creating a thing from beginning to end. Students need practice in creation. One does not any longer go into any department store and buy an assembled computer desk, it's not practical. When the kit is opened, tools are needed to properly assemble to set. One needs to know the importance of choosing screws for certain jobs rather than nails. Observing screws and nails in high school will show the students the significance of having an
inclined plane
over a smooth surface.