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The science learning process improves when the contents are connected to students' lives. Particle physics has had a great impact in our society in the last years and has changed the theoretical picture about matter fundamental dynamics. Thus, we think that academic contents about matter components and interactions should be updated. With this study we aim to characterize the level of knowledge of high school students about this topic. We built a test with questions about classical atomic models, particle physics, recent discoveries, social implications and students opinions about it. Contrary to our first suspicion, students' answers show a high variability. They have new physics ideas and show a great interest towards modern concepts. We suggest including an updated view of this topic as part of the curriculum.

In this paper we analyze some SF films in relation to the image they show regarding science and scientists, the influence of science in the future and the misconceptions that can be found in films. Based on this, some activities are proposed to facilitate the use of science fiction in the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem which we are tackling in this work emerges from three different concerns: the importance of 'learning science 'informally' as part of the school curriculum, the need for scientific literacy and the importance of the social implications of contemporary science. An exhibition was used in the Kutxaespacio Science Museum in San Sebastian on the centenary of the Spatial Theory of Relativity to design a visit for first year Engineering students and assess the learning which is achieved. The first part of the work presents the design which was produced to build bridges between formal teaching and the exhibition visit. The second part analyses the potential of the exhibition and the aforementioned design to influence the student's knowledge regarding three aspects of the Spatial Theory of Relativity. The results obtained demonstrate that the visit design with activities beforehand and afterwards is effective in terms of increasing students' understanding and stimulating their ability to argue scientifically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]