Cinema as a didactic resource in physics and mathematics education: Exploring mathematical connections to foster motivation and critical thinking
Luisa Morales-Maure 1 * , Agustín Torres-Rodríguez 2 , Marcos Campos-Nava 2 , Camilo Andrés Rodríguez-Nieto 3
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1 Faculty of Natural Sciences, Exact Sciences and Technology, Universidad de Panamá, Member of the National System of Researchers (SNI), Panama, PANAMA2 Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Hidalgo, MEXICO3 Universidad de la Costa CUC, Barranquilla, COLOMBIA* Corresponding Author

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on incorporating innovative resources into the teaching of physics and mathematics to enhance student engagement and understanding. Among these, cinema stands out as a powerful didactic medium capable of fostering motivation, critical thinking, and the construction of scientific knowledge. This study investigates the mathematical connections that emerge from analyzing scenes in films and television series, proposing their use as pedagogical strategies to bridge abstract concepts with real-world contexts. Grounded in the extended theory of connections, the research highlights how cinematic narratives can activate diverse types of mathematical connections such as modeling, representations, and meaning making scientific content more accessible and meaningful. The study also presents findings from a workshop with secondary-level physics and mathematics teachers, revealing that the integration of cinema not only stimulates inquiry and problem-solving but also enhances reflective teaching practices and interdisciplinary thinking among educators and students.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 22, Issue 4, April 2026, Article No: em2807

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18152

Publication date: 01 Apr 2026

Online publication date: 18 Mar 2026

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Article Downloads: 8

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