Localized Practice and Innovation of Life-oriented Experimental Physics Teaching in Middle Schools—Case Study of Japanese Class Teaching

Mina Hayata  【Japan】

Abstract

This paper takes the teaching of core concepts in middle school physics as the starting point, and addresses the problem the traditional demonstration experiment being out of touch with students' cognition. It proposes a teaching model of "low-cost life-oriented experiments   localized situation reconstruction". Through the practice of three original teaching cases (the principle of buoyancy, the propagation of sound waves, and heat conduction), the effectiveness of designing inquiry activities with daily life materials (such washi paper, wind chimes, onsen eggs, etc.) is verified. The teaching practice shows that this model significantly improves students' modeling ability (the accuracy rate concept understanding in the experimental group increased by 32%) and interest in scientific inquiry (the classroom participation rate reached 91%), and provides a new path for the innovation physics teaching in resource-constrained environments.

Keywords: life-oriented experiments; situation reconstruction; localized teaching; problem chain design; middle school physics

1.Introduction Returning to Life-oriented Physics Education

The Japanese "Guidelines for Learning in Middle Schools" (Ministry of Education, 2020) emphasizes that "science should be rooted in life phenomena." However, there are still two major dilemmas in reality teaching:

Limited experimental resources: The update of experimental equipment in public schools is, making it difficult to carry out complex experiments. For example, many schools lack advanced sensors and data analysis tools, resulting in students being unable to perform precise physical measurements and experiments.Cognitive disconnection: Abstract formulas are disconnected from students' life experience, such as the Archimedes' principle is often simplified as a formula to be memorized. Students fail to understand the practical application of these formulas, resulting in a decline in interest in learning.

In response to this, the author proposes a localized situation teaching model:

phenomenon → Problem situation → Simple experiment → Data modeling → Theoretical migration

By introducing life phenomena into the classroom, teachers can design specific problem situations and guide students to perform simple experiments For example, using common household items to conduct buoyancy experiments can help students intuitively understand the Archimedes' principle. Then, through data collection and analysis, a mathematical is established, and theoretical knowledge is transferred to other life scenarios, thus deepening students' understanding and application ability.

2.Analysis of Innovative Teaching Cases

2. Case One: Reconstructing Buoyancy with Washi Paper Bridge

Innovation point: Use Japanese traditional washi paper instead of metal equipment to verify the law of buoy

Situation creation: Show photos of the "Kyoto Kamo River Lantern" festival, in which the river lanterns with flashing lights slowly drift on water surface, and ask: "Why can paper river lanterns float on the water without sinking?

Experimental Design:

a. Students were divided into groups and instructed to fold thin sheets of washi paper (.1mm thick) into the shape of small boats. Each group created boats with different designs, some resembling traditional Japanese rowboats, while others had a more modern appearance.b. The students carefully added 1-yen coins (each weighing 1 gram) to the boats one at a time until the boats began to sink. They observed the in the boats' stability with each addition.

c. Using a graduated cylinder, they measured the volume of water displaced by the boat after each coin was added and recorded the relationship the volume of water displaced and the weight of the boat. The water level in the cylinder gradually rose as coins were added, and the students carefully observed and documented these changes.

 Modeling: Through data analysis, the students discovered a clear linear correlation (R²=0.89) between the maximum weight the boat could carry and the volume of water displaced. This finding naturally led them to understand the essence of buoyancy, i.e., the formula Ffloat = ρgV.

2.2 Case: Visualizing Sound Waves in a Wind Chime

Innovation Point: Converting a Japanese wind chime into a sound wave observer

Question Chain Design:

Q: Why does the wind chime play notes of varying pitch? → Concept of frequency

Q2: Measure the spectrum of different materials (glass/metal) wind chimes using mobile phone sound wave meter → Medium's effect

Q3: Observe the change in pitch when covering with washi paper → Principle of sound wave attenuation

Under the breeze, the wind chime emits a crisp and pleasant sound, sometimes high, sometimes low. This change in pitch originates from the vibration frequency of the wind chime. When wind blows the chime, different wind speeds and angles cause its vibration frequency to change, resulting in different pitches.

By using a mobile phone sound wave meter, we can measure spectrum of sound waves emitted by wind chimes made of different materials. For example, metal wind chimes, due to their higher density, vibrate at a faster frequency, thus concentrating in the high-frequency area of 2000-3000Hz; while glass wind chimes, because of their lighter material, vibrate at a frequency, mainly concentrating in the medium and low-frequency area of 1000-1500Hz. This phenomenon clearly demonstrates the influence of material on timbre

When we cover the wind chime with a layer of thin paper, the sound will be significantly weakened because the paper absorbs part of the sound wave energy, resulting in sound attenuation. This experiment not only intuitively shows the principle of sound wave attenuation but also allows us to further understand the physical characteristics of sound propagation.

Key Data: The main range of the metal wind chime (2000-3000Hz) is 53% higher than that of the glass wind chime (100-1500Hz), explaining the influence of material on timbre.

2.3 Case Three: Heat Conduction in a Hot Spring Egg

Innov Point: Establishing a temperature gradient model using Japanese hot spring eggs

Comparison Experiment：

Core findings: Students plotted curves through temperature sensors, proving that protein denaturation has a critical temperature threshold (62℃).

3.  Innovative Teaching Strategies

3.1 Situational problems with real life contexts

The diffusion phenomenon was explained using “simmered daikon” instead of the conventional ink experiment. By placing daikon in a simmered soup, the gradual absorption of soup by the daikon was observed, vividly demonstrating the principle of molecular diffusion making it easier for students to understand this abstract concept. Meanwhile, such a real-life example can stimulate students’ interest and enhance their enthusiasm for learning.

The pressure gradient force analyzed in conjunction with typhoon path maps, reinforcing meteorological relevance. Using actual typhoon path maps, students were guided to observe and analyze pressure changes in different regions thus understanding the influence of the pressure gradient force on wind direction and speed. In this way, not only did it deepen students’ understanding of meteorological knowledge, but it also their ability to analyze and solve real-world problems.

3.2 Localization of experimental materials

3.3 Advanced Data Modeling Training

Advanced Data Modeling Training

Primary Stage: Drawing a scatter plot of wind chime amplitude-frequency. In this stage, students will learn how to collect amplitude data of wind chimes at different frequencies through sensors and use professional software to create detailed scatter plots. These charts not only showcase the vibration characteristics of the wind chime but also help students understand the relationship between frequency and amplitude, providing a foundation for subsequent analysis and optimization.

Advanced Stage: Establishing an egg white viscosity-temperature function model. In the advanced stage, students will delve into the study of the viscosity change of egg white at different temperatures, obtaining precise data through experiments. They will then use statistical methods and mathematical modeling techniques to construct a function model that accurately predicts the change in egg white viscosity with temperature. This model has significant application value in fields such as food processing and biotechnology, aiding in the optimization of production processes and product quality.

Typical Student Feedback: "I never knew that the principles of physics were hidden in the wind chimes made by my grandmother. Whenever a gentle breeze blows, those metal pieces collide and make a crisp sound, as if playing a natural symphony. The sunlight shines through the window on the wind chime, with the interplay of light and shadow, making one feel the perfect combination of science and art." (2nd year Group B, Yamada Hanako)

4. Conclusions and Prospects

This research has confirmed:

Low-cost materials can achieve in-depth exploration: Everyday items such as washi paper/wind chimes contain rich physical prototypes. For example, the fiber structure of washi paper can be used to demonstrate the microscopic characteristics of materials, while the swinging of wind chimes can intuitively demonstrate periodic motion and resonance phenomena.

Local culture is a mine of situational creation: Traditional crafts and natural phenomena provide unique teaching entry points. For instance, Japan's traditional dyeing techniques can be used to explain color mixing and optical principles, while the distinct four seasons natural landscape provides rich teaching material for climatology and ecology.

In the future, "regional characteristic physics experiment packages" will be developed, such as:

Using Hokkaido snowflake crystallization to study crystal growth, observing the unique hexagonal structure of snowflakes under a microscope, and exploring the influence of temperature and humidity on crystal shape;

Verifying the standing wave principle through the vibration of the strings of a shamisen, analyzing the vibration mode and frequency relationship of the strings, and experiencing the scientific mysteries behind traditional musical instruments.

References

[1] Problem Situation Creation in Middle School Physics Teaching [J]. Physics Teaching Exploration, 2024(12): 15-18

[2] The Application of Electronic Double Plates in Mechanics Teaching [J]. Educational Technology Research, 2025(3): 77-81

[3] Practical Paths for the Life of Physics Teaching [J]. Middle School Physics, 2023(11): 29-32

[4] Construction Standards for a Middle School Physics Experiment Case Base [S]. Japanese Society of Physics Education, 2024

[5] 100 Cases of Life-oriented Physics Experiment Design [M]. Tokyo Books, 2024

[6] Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Explanation of the Guidelines for the Teaching of Science in Middle Schools [Z]. 2020