Tracing the Participation of Undergraduate Physics Majors in Research Experiences

• In Event: Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: Scientific Practices and the Learning of Science

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze students’ identity trajectories as undergraduate physics majors participating in physics research. Students in the study participated in an elective course in which they were paired with mentors on research projects and participated in a weekly discussions about research. In one-on-one interviews and classroom discussions, students discussed their interactions between themselves and other members of the scientific research community. Using their narrative accounts, we discuss three students’ trajectories of their participation in the community, highlighting relational dynamics between themselves and other members of the physics community. Finally, we draw out connections between these trajectories, which have implications for future research and programmatic design.

Authors

• Gina Quan, University of Maryland - College Park

• Chandra Anne Turpen, University of Maryland - College Park

• Andrew R. Elby, University of Maryland - College Park