Projects
Characterizing Student Theory Building
In this work, we explore middle school students’ engagement in two different approaches to scientific theory building. We aim to characterize the nature of student theory building in each approach and how students’ engagement in theory building helps them refine their theories and their thinking.
Characterizing Data Practices in Science
In this work, we are characterizing data practices by interviewing scientists involved in empirical research. Our findings will ultimately inform the design of instruction meant to help students learn science through engagement in data practices.
Understanding the Coriolis Force
In this work, we are developing undergraduate physics instruction on the Coriolis force. We are identifying the productive ideas college physics students bring to their learning and developing instruction that leverages these ideas, through both thought experiments and computational simulations.