Physics is fun! Self-determined experimentation in Lao schools – by Ralph Hansmann
Editor’s comment: The University of Education Karlsruhe (PHKA) has cooperated with several Institutions of Education in Laos for 10 years now. Our first cooperations were formed in the subject of English with six schools and colleges near and in the capital Vientiane (2015-2018). When we signed a University Cooperation Agreement with the University of Savannakhet (SKU) in 2017 and received our first Erasmus+ grant for 2018-2021, PHKA colleagues from Biology, Computer Science/Information Technology, and Physics joined the project. In this article, Dr Ralph Hansmann (Physics), who hosted our Lao partners at PHKA several times, describes his own first mobility to Laos, where he visited Sunshine School (Vientiane) and SKU (Savannakhet).
Self-determined experimentation – how physics can be fun despite language barriers
In the fall of 2017, a delegation from Savannakhet University (SKU) Laos visited Karlsruhe University of Education (PHKA) for the first time. Alongside English and Biology, they also came to see the Department of Physics and were given tours through a number of teaching laboratories. (The tandem-articles the Lao perspective and the German perspective both describe this momentous visit.) This happened exactly 6 months after Prof. Dr. Isabel Martin‘s “Fact-Finding Mission” (DAAD) to Laos, where she and her research assistant Heike Mueller visited 26 Institutions of Education, amongst them SKU – and SKU asked them to stay another day to prepare a formal cooperation.
On their return visit, the SKU delegation were interested in seeing seminar rooms and equipments, but also took a closer look at teaching methods and research topics in order to learn more about STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) as it is conducted at PHKA. This quickly developed into a formal Cooperation Agreement between our two universities, a very solid connection by now. It has resulted in three Erasmus+ projects so far, which means that dozens of teaching and training mobilities by staff and students were carried out, for tandem-work and/or bi-directional academic learning.
Most recently, the physics didactics lecturer Mr Sitsanou Phoutavong came to visit PHKA in Karlsruhe, along with other lecturers from the departments of English, Information Technology, and Biology. For about four weeks, Mr Sitsanou cooperated with staff members and used the facilities of the Institute of Physics to advance his research.
My return visit to SKU had been planned for some time. As soon as I completed my doctorate and got time away from lectures, I realized my plan.
At that time, the official celebration of the 65th anniversary of Lao-German diplomatic relations and friendship was to take place at the German Embassy in Vientiane. This seemed like an ideal time to fly to Laos and strengthen the cooperation. Unfortunately, the celebrations were postponed at short notice, when I had already booked the flights. Instead, another opportunity arose, which in retrospect turned out to be extremely profitable. Due to the good relations between Ms Julia Friedel (International Officer at PHKA) and the Sunshine School in Vientiane, a private community school, contact was established easily, and a spontaneos a spontaneous visit was quickly organized.
Visiting Sunshine School
The experimental materials brought along included rolling rim vials, plastic boxes, pipettes and a fischertechnik optics experimental kit for individualized experimentation and were not only handed over on the same day, but could surprisingly be used immediately in the classroom. (Lao spontaneity can cancel appointments, but also facilitate quick alternatives!) After just one observation lesson, the time had come to build “Cartesian Divers” with the children and teenagers themselves: a difficult undertaking, but one that captivated the learners from the very first seconds. A “Cartesian Diver“, by the way, is a submersible object in a water-filled bottle (e.g. PET), which is made to submerge by exerting pressure on the bottle or the liquid (usually water) and resurfaces when the pressure is reduced.
I observed amazed, shining, and enthusiastic eyes throughout the classroom. Often, even the break was used to continue experimenting, to show fellow-learners something about the experiment or to change something about the Cartesian diver, but also to ask questions. Success all along the line!
It was the same with the fischertechnik material: enthusiasm in all rows. The fact that the material had to be shared and that four students always had to experiment together in groups did not cause any displeasure or unrest. Rather, the material was handled with care, suggestions were discussed, and pupils helped each other during construction and experimentation. The atmosphere was extremely positive, lively, yet concentrated.
My integration into the daily school routine also took place without difficulties. I was invited to eat the daily vegetarian lunch together with the other teachers of Sunshine School, and interesting conversations arose as a matter of course. Our time together passed by much too quickly, the conclusion of which was crowned by a personal instruction in Muai-Lao by the sports teacher Mr Xaisomboun Phavixai.
My heartfelt thanks therefore go to Ms Cathy Lee, the principal, and Ms Jue Hui Lim, who opened the doors of their school for me and made the exchange with the teachers and pupils possible. Furthermore, Ms Jue Hui Lim coordinated my stay at the school in a perfect way and made my stay unforgettable with her friendly and helpful manner. I would also like to thank the teachers, Ms Souphaphone Mahaxay, Ms Phoukhong Keoaoudone, Ms Bouthsaba Chouthathay, Ms Vathsana Chouthathay, and Mr Joe Homsombath, who put their trust in me, shared the wonderful hours with their students, and then also spent their free time with me.
So my conclusion is simple: if you want to have a very special experience in terms of school community, teaching, learning, and living together, you have to visit the Sunshine School in Vientiane.
Visiting the University of Savannakhet
With the flight to Savannakhet and the visit to SKU, the experience was truly complete: “The Laos Experience”! An experience of a very special kind, so that the project of Prof. Isabel Martin’s project rightly bears this name.
The days there were characterized by an intensive exchange about subject didactics. The experimental materials (including an individually assembled fischertechnik experimental kit for individualized experimentation) were used daily and finally put into practice. After a reception with the Vice-President of the university, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sitha Khemmarath, I was allowed to build individualized Cartesian Divers with the students, and also to use and test a lamp circuit in a simplified Black Box design.
The practical implementations visibly pleased both the students and the lecturers. While initially watchful eyes followed the events attentively, the concentrated silence and suspense were replaced by the joy of carrying out the experiments, and by cheerfulness and laughing faces. In the end, a thoroughly positive and relaxed atmosphere pervaded the room, rewarding all the efforts.
My entire stay in Savannakhet was supported by the staff of the university all the way through: the International Office, above all Mr Thanousone Sangthongphet – who visited PHKA himself before – took care of the details, and in the Physics Institute, staff members Mr Sitsanou Phouthavong, Mr Silivan Xayavet, and Ms Nunthida Phaysith. All of them provided for an extremely pleasant stay in Savannakhet. I thoroughly enjpyed the cordial and insightful professional exchange, the perfectly organized university shuttle service, and our joint lunches. My working visit was completed by an excursion to the new university campus and some sights around town.
Final thoughts and thanks
After this 14-day teaching-learning exchange in Laos, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all those involved and responsible. It was an experience of a very special kind, which provided unforgettable moments on all conceivable levels of life: thank you!
In addition, I want to share one of my instructive and unforgettable experiences: firstly, how to inspire learners with physical experiments, and secondly, that individualised experiments can be used to initiate processes of understanding in learners regardless of language skills. The experiment speaks for itself, so to speak. The feedback also showed that the desire to share one’s insights and experiences can be so motivating that the desire to overcome the language barrier and learn another language arises.
This aside, it was simply wonderful to see learners thanking their teachers for what they had learnt. It is therefore up to me now to say “thank you” for all these priceless insights and instructive situations!
Khop tchaï laï laï
Text by Ralph Hansmann
Photos by Ms Christiane Hansmann & Mr Thanousone Sangthogphet