The present work describes some partial results of a Master’s dissertation in the State University of Londrina, whose objective is to reflect about the reasons for drop out and the perseverance of students on a Physics course at the State University of Londrina. Initially we analyzed two reports, from which it was possible to obtain a general view from some quantitative data from the course in the last 10 years. After, taking Lacanian psychoanalysis as our theoretical framework, we analyzed some results obtained from a case study with a student from the first year of the course. As expected we have achieved a deeper vision of the various motivations and interests presented by students when going into the course, as well as about other factors that possibly may have exerted some influence on their carrying on.
physics teacher education; motivation in physics; science teaching and psychoanalysis