To teach or not to teach Quantum Physics? Revisiting goals and practices of instruction in secondary schools

Abstract We report on the results of a series of interviews conducted with some experts on Quantum Physics (QP) concerning aspects of its teaching at the secondary school level, specifically: the overall appropriateness of this teaching, the historical approach, the needed mathematical background and the topics that should be included. Some foundational and controversial aspects of QP, which concern potentially includable topics, are addressed as well. Utilizing the insights obtained from the interviews, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to an additional 31 experts. The main aim was to investigate the experts’ viewpoints on the inclusion of QP in secondary school curricula and the rationale behind their positions. The secondary objective was to delve deeper into the examination of the fundamental topics that experts consider crucial for secondary level education. Additionally, the questionnaire aimed to explore foundational and contentious aspects of QP relevant to high school curricula, including assessing the consensus among experts on these subjects. However, a notable lack of consensus emerged on these matters.