I work with several research groups that focus on different aspects of education.
I’ve had the chance to work on a few projects. Here are some recent ones and here are some older ones.
I’ve given a number of presentations about this work. Here’s a sample of some of the more recent ones.
groups
- The Physics Education Research Lab (PERL) conducts a variety of research into students’ relationships with physics, how tools and environments shape those relationships, and the conditions that can influence or moderate those relationships. PERL is housed in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
- The Computational Education Research Lab (CERL) conducts research into student learning and engagement in computational and data science and the environments and conditions that shape that learning and participation. CERL is housed in the Department of Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering.
- The Center for Computing in Science Education (CCSE) conducts research into students’ learning of computing in science environments, studies the tools and conditions that lead to different forms of learning, and develops text-embedding tools for qualitative research. Research with CCSE is conducted almost exclusively in Norway.
presentations
colloquia
- Supporting the integration of computing in physics, now with AI? (2025)
- Supporting the integration of computing in physics (2023)
- Towards a more diverse and equitable graduate physics program (2023)
other talks
- Supporting the integration of computing in physics (2025) – Banff International Research Station, Banff, AB
- We don’t need AI in science education; we need science education research for AI (2023) – University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Teaching Computing into Introductory STEM Courses at Scale (2023) – University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- science, education, computing, & community…in ten(ish) minutes (2023)– Michigan State, East Lansing, MI
current projects
computing in undergraduate physics education
Integrating computing into physics education to support improved student learning, agency, and engagement.
computing in physics education book
To be published Summer 2025 by the Institute of Physics.
An edited volume that focuses on a variety of stories from different persons and places around the world who are teaching computing in their physics courses.
- Instructions for contributing authors can be found here.
computational science education research
Investigating curriculum, pedagogy, and outcomes in undergraduate computational and data science courses and programs. More Info
partnership for the integration of computing in undergraduate physics
Fostering and supporting a community of physics faculty, students, and others with a shared interest in the role of computation in physics education. More Info
transforming stem education at msu
Establishing, supporting, and promoting a culture of evidence-based teaching and learning in STEM at MSU using Three Dimensional Learning. More Info
applying data science to quantitative stem education research
Exploring the use of data science techniques to ask and answer new questions about STEM education.
transforming graduate education in physics to be more equitable and diverse
Fostering institutional change in graduate education in physics through an intergenerational and communal effort that establishes a more inclusive, supportive, and equitable program.
assessment development for physics labs
Developing methods and techniques for assessment that support the next generation of physics laboratory goals and instruction. More Info
older projects
integrating computing in science across michigan
Growing and supporting a network of high school physics teachers who are integrating computing into their classrooms in equitable and sustainable ways with the support of teacher-focused professional development. More Info
evidence-based upper-division physics education
Developing and assessing curricular materials for upper-division physics courses that emphasize active engagement and tutorial-style problem solving. More Info
students’ use of mathematics in physics
Understanding the role of mathematics in upper-level undergraduate physics education, and investigating how students use mathematics to learn and do physics. More Info
laboratory transformation for life science majors
Developing and assessing curricular materials for upper-division physics courses that emphasize active engagement and tutorial-style problem solving.