Upskilling Teachers in Einsteinian Physics: A Decade of Progress and Future Directions

The past decade has witnessed significant advances in modern physics education research, with particular emphasis on equipping teachers to effectively introduce Einsteinian concepts in their classrooms. This presentation synthesises findings from multiple international initiatives that have pioneered approaches to teacher professional learning in modern physics. Drawing on my own work in Norway and Denmark, as well as empirical studies from the Einstein-First programme and the International Modern Physics and Research in Education Seminar Series (IMPRESS), I will highlight how successful professional development models share key characteristics: they position teachers as co-designers of learning materials, provide authentic engagement with modern physics content, and scaffold the educational reconstruction of abstract concepts. Evidence suggests that teachers' confidence and competence in teaching Einsteinian physics increases significantly when professional learning incorporates embodied experiences, collaborative inquiry with research physicists, and structured opportunities to translate cutting-edge science into age-appropriate activities. The presentation will conclude with recommendations for scaling up teacher professional development initiatives to address the persistent gap between modern science and classroom practice, thereby ensuring physics education remains relevant in addressing contemporary challenges.