Initiating Groundbreaking Physics Engagement for Youth – Commencement of The XL-Project - Sparking Interest in Physics among the Youth - Initiation of XL Project Commences
Physics Attraction Project Initiated: Encouraging Youth in Natural Sciences
The University of Dortmund, in collaboration with the Institute for School Development Research (IFS), embarks on a five-year research project centered on bolstering interest in physics and related fields among young people. The initiative hopes to promote educational justice and combat talent shortage, particularly among female students and those from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.
The comprehensive, practice-oriented educational study aims to inspire students for the natural sciences, particularly physics. Professor Nele McElvany, the director of IFS, shared this information with the German Press Agency. The endeavor merges peak research with social responsibility.
The project is groundbreaking in educational research. The objective is to foster educational justice and address the underrepresentation of girls and students from underprivileged backgrounds in fields like physics, chemistry, computer science, and others. Additionally, the interdisciplinary study seeks innovative strategies to counter the talent shortage in the natural sciences.
To determine the most effective methods of stimulating students' interest in physics, an intervention study is being conducted in selected schools. It falls under an "excellence cluster," as the project has recently been chosen among several to receive federal and state funding as international peak research from 2026. The research will focus on the fundamentals of new technologies in physics, while also promoting interest in more young people.
The study will address the misconception that physics is uninteresting or unattainable for many students, particularly those who identify as female, from migration backgrounds, or less privileged environments. Strategies include using positive role models from underrepresented groups, emphasizing the relevance of physics to everyday life, and optimizing Fachtexts to better suit students' needs.
The experimental design of the study enables researchers to draw conclusions about what works and what doesn't. The project will start in the ninth grade in 45 schools across Berlin, Bavaria, and Saxony-Anhalt. Participating students will be followed until graduation, with at least one follow-up survey planned. Findings from this study could be applied to other subjects and integrated into teaching, ultimately helping more young people develop their potential and address the shortage of skilled workers.
Apart from the Technical University of Dortmund, universities in Halle, Regensburg, and the Free University of Berlin are also involved in the project.
The University of Dortmund, in collaboration with their partners, introduces a community policy focused on providing vocational training in the natural sciences, specifically physics, to combat talent shortage, particularly among female students and those from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. This initiative combines education-and-self-development with health-and-wellness, promoting a holistic approach to science education. The project, titled "Physics Attraction Project," also encourages the exploration of relevant fields such as chemistry, computer science, and others, contributing to the advancement of science within the community.
