My research involves investigating student understanding, mainly conceptual understanding, of specific topics in physics. I am interested in students at all levels of science background, ranging from future K-12 teachers to students in introductory courses to advanced undergraduates and graduate students. The physics topics I am currently working on include velocity and acceleration in two-dimensions, and sound. I am beginning to explore thermodynamics, as well as laboratory instruction in general.I explore the ideas students have about particular physics topics both before and after instruction, and try to identify specific difficulties that show up. A strong component of my research involves developing instructional materials to improve student understanding of the topic, and then checking to see how effective these materials are at helping students learn. The results of this check then inform modifications of the curriculum.

I am also interested in preparing teachers to teach physics and physical science as a process of inquiry, both at the pre-college and college levels. My current teaching assignment is in PHY 101 and 102 (Physics by Inquiry), which is a lecture-free, inquiry-based laboratory course designed for preservice elementary teachers.

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and a Cooperating Assistant Professor in the College of Education and Human Development. I am co-director of the Physics Education Research Laboratory (http://perlnet.umephy.maine.edu/). We presently have 2 active faculty, several associated faculty, and 6 graduate students. Of these, 4 seek a Ph.D. in physics with a focus on physics education research, 2 seek a master’s degree (1 M.S. in physics, 1 MST), and 2 seek both a Ph.D. and an MST.

More information about my research work and the work of the Physics Education Research Laboratory can be found at the PERLnet web site, http://perlnet.umephy.maine.edu/.

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