Research Agenda in the CAPER PhD Program

The research agenda of the of the Cognition in Astronomy, Physics and Earth sciences Research (CAPER) Team is shaped by the framework of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and reflects an intellectualization of what makes learning specific science topics easy or difficult, how this changes with learners of different ages, backgrounds, motivations, and pre-conceptions that learners carry with them, and how best to equip teachers to teach science. (I should point out that we define CAPER broadly, and even though there is no B for Biology in the title, we do that too – the name has historical roots.) Our research effort is focused on the scholarly development, systematic assessment, and widespread dissemination of multiple, meaningful representations of scientific ideas, including the most powerful analogies, illustrations, examples, explanations, demonstrations, inquiries, experiences, and engagements, that help effective teachers and faculty engage students in science.