General relativity in German secondary schools

Abstract

This contribution describes the status quo of the incorporation of general relativity into physics classes at secondary schools in Germany. Secondary school (Gymnasium) curricula and university curricula for pre-service physics teachers (Lehramt Gymnasium) are analyzed with respect to instructional goals related to general relativity. The study includes the secondary school curricula of all 16 federal states and the university curricula of 50 universities nationwide. The general relativity content of the curricula is discussed. with a view to current physics education research on teaching general relativity at secondary school level.