Physics is full of abstract ideas. For many students, these concepts can feel remote and inaccessible. Narrative and analogy offer powerful ways to bridge that gap.
This interactive session will explore how storytelling, models, and analogies can transform the teaching of physics. We will look at classic examples such as the “rope” model of current electricity or the “dice roll” analogy for nuclear decay alongside original classroom tested narratives I have developed. We will discuss how these approaches benefit student learning, from reducing misconceptions to increasing engagement.
We will also consider the limitations of analogies, how encouraging students to recognise where a model breaks down can be beneficial to understanding. Given time, there will be an opportunity for participants to share their own analogies and reflect on how narrative can enrich their teaching practice as well as how AI can play a role in this style of teaching.
Outcomes: By the end of the session, participants will be able to: •Identify effective uses of narrative, storytelling, models, and analogies in physics teaching. •Apply at least two new analogies or narratives in their own lessons. •Evaluate the strengths and limitations of analogies to avoid reinforcing misconceptions. •Develop strategies to make abstract concepts more memorable and engaging for students aged 11–18.
Background: Over 30 years of teaching physics to students aged 11–18, I have found that physics concepts - from Newton’s laws to nuclear decay - often become more accessible when framed through narrative or analogy. My classroom practice has involved developing stories and models that resonate with learners, drawing on both established teaching analogies and my own creations. These approaches have consistently helped students connect new ideas to prior knowledge, making difficult concepts memorable and meaningful.
