Effectiveness of MiniPIX Detector Activities Dispelling High School Students’ Misconceptions About Radioactivity and Ionising Radiation

AbstraktAbstract

Research indicates that students commonly retain misconceptions about radioactivity and ionising radiation, impacting their learning and civic responsibility. MiniPIX cameras, utilising CERN’s Timepix hybrid pixel detectors, are useful tools to introduce particle physics and radioactivity in secondary education. An analysis evaluating MiniPIX’s effectiveness in dispelling these misconceptionss was conducted. Surveying 65 Spanish 14-year-old students, their ideas about radioactivity and radiation were collected before and after regular lessons. An additional 1-h experimental session using the radiation camera followed the regular lesson. Results showed a 1.8 times greater improvement in correct answers attributable to the MiniPIX activity compared to the regular lesson, especially on questions covered experimentally during the detector session.

Research indicates that students commonly retain misconceptions about radioactivity and ionising radiation, impacting their learning and civic responsibility. MiniPIX cameras, utilising CERN’s Timepix hybrid pixel detectors, are useful tools to introduce particle physics and radioactivity in secondary education. An analysis evaluating MiniPIX’s effectiveness in dispelling these misconceptionss was conducted. Surveying 65 Spanish 14-year-old students, their ideas about radioactivity and radiation were collected before and after regular lessons. An additional 1-h experimental session using the radiation camera followed the regular lesson. Results showed a 1.8 times greater improvement in correct answers attributable to the MiniPIX activity compared to the regular lesson, especially on questions covered experimentally during the detector session.