New Perspectives in Science Education

This study aims to investigate the in-service training needs of non-specialist physics teachers in Saudi Arabia in the area of experimental skills related to contents knowledge of science curriculum as a first step toward meet their training needs and consequently to assist them to teach physics topics in intermediate schools effectively. The research reviews data from a relevant sample (N=87) of non-specialist physics teachers at intermediate schools in the city of Onaizah Saudi Arabia. The results have shown that dealing with liquid battery, operating electrical devices, measuring the densities of objects, correlating quantities mathematically and applying equations of both oscillatory motion and the use of heat quantity units represent training needs for non-specialist physics teachers participated in this study. Furthermore, the study has revealed uncertainty for some respondents in many areas including; operating electrical devices, dealing with a liquid battery, operating a photometer, analysis of light spectra, verify of the laws of reflection, applying equations of oscillatory motion and the use of heat quantity units.