In this paper, we propose an alternative way to introduce the concept of Universal Gravity to high school students. The History of Physics discloses the elements that give meaning to a concept, in so far as it presents the problems that led to the formulation of the concept. Therefore we believe that it can be brought into the process of teaching and learning, performing a fundamental role in the assimilation of new concepts to the cognitive structure; this role can be understood in the context of David Ausubel's theory of Meaningful Learning. The method is illustrated by its application to students in Colégio de Aplicação da Unigranrio, a private school in Rio de Janeiro.
History of Physics; meaningful learning
