CAPER Team's Mission is: 

Focusing on collaborative learning strategies, to develop and disseminate effective instructional interventions and authentic assessment strategies based on rigorous research in student understanding.  The team conducts research and public outreach activities in the areas of physics, astronomy, and earth/space science.

[people, graduate education, activities, resources]


  • Please Visit The CAPER Team in Bozeman:

     Faculty and Post-Docs

    • Jeff Adams:  Collaborative Learning, Gender Equity, Astronomy Conceptual Assessment, Project Evaluation
    • Kim Burtnyk:  Informal education, virtual field-trips, observational astronomy for non-science majors
    • Greg Francis:  Physics by Inquiry, FCI Investigations, Teacher-Enhancement, Peer Instruction Training
    • Larry Kirkpatrick:  AAPT Past-President, Theory into Practice, Textbook Author, Graduate Student Training
    • Ed Prather:  Student conceptions of radiation, astrobiology curriculum development, interactive-lecture methods.
    • Tim Slater:  K-16 Astronomy Curriculum Development, NASA EP/O Planning, Student Assessment
    • George Tuthill:  Teacher-Enhancement via Internet-based Distance Learning Strategies (NTEN)

    Graduate Students

    • Meredith Wills:  Collaborative Learning Group Dynamics
    • Chija Skala:  Gender Equity Focus Group Analysis
    • Keri Garver:  Astronomy Curriculum Development
    • Jack Dostal:  Conceptual Understanding of Astronomy
    • John Chesbrough:  Public Outreach for Mars
    • Jeff Crowder:  Conceptual Physics
    • Tom Brown:  Conceptual Physics

    Undergraduate Students

    • Elizabeth Noonan:  Longitudinal Study of FCI Gains
    • Tanis Lasey:  Impacts of Gender and Sex on Achievement
    • Erika Offerdahl:  Astrobiology Curriculum Development

    Closely Affiliated Team Members

    • Jie hua Peng:  World Bank Scholar, Shayong, China
    • Larry Watson:  Inquiry-based Computerized Labs, Univ. of N. Dakota
    • Rebecca Lindell Adrian:  Ph.D. candidate, Univ. Neb. Linc.
    • Christine Brick:  NSF Post-Doctoral Fellow in Earth/Space Science Education
    • David Cadtiz:  Internet-based Astronomy Courses, Astrophysics Research Group
    • Brian Beaudrie:  Integrated Mathematics and Science Education
    • Jenny Wickum:  Integrated Mathematics and Science Education
    • Michelle Larson:  Public Outreach, Astrophysics Research Group
    • David McKenzie:  Public Outreach, Solar Physics Group

     This Week's Team Member Profiles

    Jeff Adams     Jeff is an assistant professor of physics at Montana State University where he has a professional practice appointment focused on improving instructional strategies. His primary research area is in physics and astronomy education focussing both on innovative curriculum development and learner response. He has just finished his first text book, MYSTERIES OF THE SKY, 1998, Published by Kendall Hunt.

     Greg Francis     Greg is an assistant professor of physics at Montana State University where he has a professional practice appointment.  Since joining the faculty in 1991, Greg has done much to reform the undergraduate curriculum for non-majors including the introduction of inquiry-based tutorials to replace traditional laboratories.  He also teaches an integrated inquiry-based course for high-school teachers in the MSU Masters of Science in Science Education (MSSE) program.

     Larry Kirkpatrick      Professor Kirkpatrick is interested in adapting the results of research in physics education to continually improve student learning and in expanding the use of computers in laboratory instruction. He is an author of a textbook (Physics: A World View), writes a bimonthly physics contest problem for Quantum Magazine, and is the national president in the American Association of Physics Teachers.

     Tim Slater      Tim is a research assistant professor of physics and is working on the development of alternative assessment strategies (portfolio, performance, and concept mapping), conducting program evaluations, designing effective teacher enhancement programs, and K-12 physics/astronomy curriculum development. He serves as the chairman for the Astronomy Education Committee for the American Association of Physics Teachers and as the column editor for the AstroNotes section of THE PHYSICS TEACHER.

    Graduate Education:

    • Ph.D. in Physics Education The Physics Department at Montana State University offers a Ph.D. in Physics Education in which the normal course work and comprehensive requirements  must be satisfied but the dissertation work is in the field physics education.  The size and diversity of the group provides students many options in selecting a particular field of research.  Students in this program also have an important role in teaching our inquiry-based physics course for pre-service education students.
    • Minor in Physics Education  Consistent with recommendations of the NSF report Shaping the Future, the department also supports a minor in physics education to "Provide opportunities for graduate students to learn about effective teaching strategies as part of their graduate education," and "Encourage and participate in research on learning."  Students in this program pursue research in one of the traditional research groups but also take education courses, teach our inquiry-based physics course for pre-service education students and participate in education research and/or outreach programs.


    Selected Projects Recently Completed:

    • Is „dumbing down‰ happening and, if so, does it work?  [Full Text]
    • The FCI for Astronomy?  YES, The Astronomy Diagnostics Test [ADT]
    • NASA CERES K-12 Astronomy Activities [CERES]
    • Yohkoh Public Outreach Project [Solar Physics]
    • Student Difficulties in Physics Information Center [website]

    Selected Projects Funded:

    • K-4 AstroMath - Integrating Elementary Astronomy and Mathematics
    • NASA CERES Astrobiology Curriculum Materials for Middle and High Schools
    • Gender-Equity Assessment of Collaborative Small Group Learning Activities in A Large-Lecture Astronomy Class.  [Full Text]
    • Implementing Inquiry-Based Instruction In Five Microcomputer-Based Laboratories:


      A Foundation for Systemic Reform in Physics.  [Full Text]

    • The Dynamic Sun Planetarium Project [Full Text]

    Selected Proposals Submitted:
     

    • Alternative Assessment Strategies for an Innovative Large-Enrollment Introductory Astronomy Course [Summary, Full Text]

    Some Selected Papers:

    • "Student-supplied rationale for multiple-choice responses on the force concept inventory," Jeff Adams and Tim Slater, in review at JPER.[Full Text]
    • "Using Action Research to Bring the Large Class Down to Size," Tim Slater and Jeff Adams, published in Journal of College Science Teaching, May 1998.[Full Text]


      "Astronomy in the National Standards:  A Review of Research and a Call to Action," Jeff Adams and Tim Slater, to be published in Journal of Geoscience Education in early 2000.[Full Text]

    Some Sample Abstracts:

    • Summer Meeting of AAPT (Denver: Aug 11-16)
      • "Dumbing down" and course evaluations (contributed).  [Text]
      • Using Action Research to Bring the Large Astronomy Class Down to Size (Invited). [Text]

    Most Recent Papers and Resources:

    Resources:

    Real-Time Science Data Access Page

    American Journal of Physics

    The Physics Teacher

    University of Maryland Site
     
     

    University of Massachusetts at Amherst
     

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