My research interests are centered on questions about how undergraduate students learn to think like physicists, particularly with regard to making sense of ideas and problems. I will discuss a three stage research agenda (1) identification and characterization of students' sense-making strategies, (2) identification and characterization of experiences that influence the development of these strategies, and (3) implementation of pedagogical strategies that potentially optimize the development of sense-making skills. My plan will include a longitudinal study of physics majors that builds on my previous work and that I believe will be synergistic with current research and curriculum development efforts at OSU. I will touch on expected outcomes on short and long-term timescales and possible funding strategies.
