Exclusive Conference wraps up at Pedagogical University24.11.2012
26-11-2012 13:51:54 | Armenia | Science and Technology
The workshop on Active Learning in Optics and Photonics (ALOP Armenia 2012) held at the Armenian State Pedagogical University on 19-23 November has completed its work.
The event brought together about 30 young researchers, lecturers, graduate students, seekers and PhD students [specializing in physics, optics and photonics] from high schools of the Armenian capital and marzes (regions), Armenian State Pedagogical University, Yerevan State University, Gyumri State Pedagogical University, Artsakh State University and the University of Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran.
A number of prominent professors across the world, who have greatly contributed to the creation and development of the ALOP project, shared teaching experiences and hands-on approach to teaching optics and photonics with young physics educators in the five-day ALOP workshop.
Alexander Mazzolini, a scientist of the Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, was in Armenia for the first time. The physicist, who has never lacked for the warmth of the sun and people, is fascinated by Armenian physicists, their knowledge and insatiable desire to learn.
“I am pleased with the choice of the conference participants as well as the results of the workshop. Physicists around the world are similar to each other, but the Armenians are notable for their warmth and diligence.
The healthy work environment helped us become a large family within a few days,” said Mr Mazzolini.
Seeing the experiments carried out by foreign scientists in geometrical optics, straightforward propagation of light, diffraction, reflection and refraction, optical communications, and atmospheric optics, the student of the Pedagogical University and future physicist Anush Movsesyan came to the conclusion that even Physics that is considered to be a difficult subject can be presented in a simple and comprehensible way.
“The experiments carried out with intensive methods strengthened my theoretical knowledge, at the same time increasing interest in Physics. I knew from textbooks how to make a rainbow but when you create the same rainbow effect making light refract through the prism, you experience an indescribable feeling,” Anush tells with great enthusiasm.
Naira Safaryan, Head of the technical group of the conference, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, says the conference differed from the previous ones.
She does not remember whether she has ever participated in a conference where working groups were composed of students, graduate students, teachers and scholars.
Edvard Kokanyan, Head of the Chair of Theoretical Physics and Methods of Teaching Physics, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, honestly confesses that the results exceeded expectations.
It was thanks to Mr Kokanyan that the workshop was held at the Armenian State Pedagogical University. “Our colleagues from the University of Oulu surprised us when they said that students are more active in classes. After the conference we understood that there was something in what they said,” said Mr Kokanyan.
The ALOP (Active Learning in Optics and Photonics) project was started in 2003 at the initiative of an international working group of professionals from UNESCO, Optical Society of
America (OSA), International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE), Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), and Asian Physics Education Network (AsPEN).
The programme was first tested in the USA and in other developed countries and initially aimed to help students master fundamental principles of physics.
The ALOP workshop was held at the Pedagogical University within the framework of events marking the 90th anniversary of the University.
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