Although my background is in semiconductor physics, near the end of graduate school I became interested in why students had such difficulty learning physics and switched my research focus to physics education. I am most interested in trying to understand the thought processes necessary for students to learn how to solve problems in physics and using that knowledge to design more effective physics instruction. I am also working with faculty in Physics and in Curriculum & Instruction to increase the number of high school physics teachers graduating from the U of M and to improve the experiences they have during their education.

Relevant links

Physics Education Group at the University of Minnesota. I work closely with members of the physics department to conduct research in physics education, most notably in problem solving, but also in studying students attitudes and beliefs about physics and learning physics.

Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC). This grant-funded effort seeks to increase the number of highly qualified high school physics teachers graduating from the University of Minnesota and to improve the education they receive.