John R. Thompson

John R. Thompson

Department of Physics and Astronomy Office phone: (207) 581-1030
University of Maine FAX: (207) 581-3410
5709 Bennett Hall
Orono, ME 04469-5709 Email: thompsonj@maine.edu

EDUCATION

Brown University, Providence RI

Ph.D., Physics, May 1998

Sc.M., Physics, May 1992

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

B.S., Physics, Cum Laude, May 1990

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor of Physics August 2002 to present
and Cooperating Assistant Professor of Education,
University of Maine, Orono, ME

Physics Education Research, including research-based curriculum development.

Conceptual understanding of sound at both the introductory level and among preservice and inservice K-12 teachers. Development of curriculum on sound aimed at elementary teachers.
Student understanding of two-dimensional kinematics. Development and assessment of curriculum that emphasizes conceptual understanding and transfer to other contexts.
Understanding of teaching and learning in physics by graduate students and teachers.
Research in preliminary stages:

Student understanding of oscillations, simple harmonic motion, periodicity, and periodic behavior at all levels, including the graduate level.
Investigation of student learning in a sophomore laboratory course.
Investigation of student understanding of entropy and related topics in thermodynamics in physics and chemistry.

Assistant Professor of Physics, August 2000 to August 2002
Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI

Physics Education Research, including research-based curriculum development.

Conceptual understanding of sound at both the introductory level and among preservice and inservice K-12 teachers. Development of curriculum on sound aimed at elementary teachers.
Student understanding of mechanics in the laboratory setting. Development and assessment of curriculum for laboratory that emphasizes conceptual understanding and connections to other course components.

Research Associate, Physics Education Group, September 1997 to July 2000

Dept. of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Investigated student understanding of sound.
Investigated student transfer of two-dimensional kinematics from horizontal to vertical contexts.
Examined effectiveness of curriculum at pilot sites.
Assisted in development of curriculum for both preservice and inservice precollege teachers, as well as for undergraduates in the introductory calculus-based physics sequence.

Faculty: Lillian C. McDermott, Paula R.L. Heron, Peter S. Shaffer, Stamatis Vokos

Research Assistant, Brown University, Providence, RI June 1991 to September 1997

Experimental Surface Physics. Designed and assembled a femtosecond-laser-based apparatus to perform time-resolved low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) experiments. Demonstrated functionality of apparatus with observation of electron diffraction patterns of H/Si(111)-1x1 surface.

Advisors: Peder J. Estrup and Peter M. Weber

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor of Physics August 2002 to present
and Cooperating Assistant Professor of Education,
University of Maine, Orono, ME

Fall 2002: Physics by Inquiry I. Inquiry-based, laboratory-based physical science course; required for Elementary Education majors. Properties of Matter, Heat and Temperature. Use Physics by Inquiry as text. No lectures.

Special Topics in Physics Education Research I. Graduate course, designed for students pursuing a Master's of Science in Teaching, on methods and results in the field of Physics Education Research. Content: Electric Circuits, Kinematics, Dynamics. Methods: Pre- and post-test analysis, question format, assessment of broad multiple-choice surveys.

Spring 2003: Physics by Inquiry II. Electric Circuits, Light and Optics, Sound, Waves.

Special Topics in Physics Education Research II. Content: Sound, Waves, Work-Energy and Impulse-Momentum Theorems, Heat and Temperature. Methods: Interviewing techniques, classroom observations, curriculum design.

Assistant Professor, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI August 2000 to July 2002

Fall 2000: Principles of Physics I. Introductory calculus-based mechanics course, including simple harmonic motion and sound. Lecture, discussion, and one laboratory section. Included tutorials (small-group, research-based curriculum materials designed to improve student conceptual understanding) in discussion sections. Designed several interactive discussion exercises.

Experimental Methods in Physics. Junior-level course. Basic electronics and error analysis; experimental design and execution; development of scientific writing skills.

Winter 2001: Principles of Physics I. Lecture and discussion sections.

Intermediate Modern Physics. Introductory quantum mechanics; junior level. Lecture, with occasional tutorials.

Fall 2001: Inquiry: The Mechanical and Thermal World. Same as Physic by Inquiry course described above. Properties of Matter, Balancing, Heat and Temperature. Use Physics by Inquiry as text. No lectures.

Principles of Physics II. Introductory calculus-based course, second semester. Thermodynamics, electrostatics, electric circuits, magnetism. Lecture and discussion. Included tutorials in discussions.

Winter 2002: Inquiry: The Mechanical and Thermal World.

Quantum Mechanics. Continuation of Intermediate Modern Physics; senior level. Primarily lecture (student lectures as well) with some interactive exercises.

Research Associate, September 1997 to July 2000

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Fall 1999: General Physics I. Introductory algebra-based mechanics. Lecture/tutorial mixture.

Co-instructor in several graduate- and undergraduate-level inquiry-based courses at the University of Washington (sponsored by NSF) designed to improve content understanding of inservice or preservice K-12 teachers. Populations included preservice elementary teachers, preservice high school mathematics and physics teachers, inservice K-12 teachers, and elementary Science Resource Teachers for the Seattle School District. Additional attention was paid to the pedagogical concern of adapting curriculum to be taught as a process of inquiry in the K-12 classroom. Content topics taught include Properties of Matter, Balancing, Electric Circuits, Heat and Temperature, Magnets, Electromagnets, Kinematics, Relative Motion, Two-Dimensional Kinematics, and Dynamics. Used Physics by Inquiry as text. No lectures.
Co-instructor in graduate course sequence (each quarter during the academic year) to help prepare graduate teaching assistants for instruction in the tutorial component of the introductory calculus-based physics course.
Tutorial instructor in introductory calculus-based physics courses, including mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and waves and optics.

GRANTS AND AWARDS

"Conceptual change in physics: coordinating knowledge about periodic phenomena," Research on Learning and Education (ROLE), National Science Foundation; January 2004 – December 2006; with M.C. Wittmann; submitted May 2003; pending.

"Penobscot River Educational Partnership – University of Maine Physical Science Curriculum Partnership," Math and Science Partnership, National Science Foundation; July 2003 – June 2008; with F. Amar, E. Emery, S. McKay, N. Yoder; submitted January 2003; pending.

"Revision of Group Science Major into an Integrated Science Program," Presidential Teaching Initiative Award, from the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center, Grand Valley State University; to revise program for preservice K-8 teachers seeking Integrated Science certification for the state of Michigan; Summer 2002; with 7 other faculty from the sciences.

"Improving Science Teaching Preparation for Non-science Majors at GVSU," Michigan Space Grant Consortium, Higher Education Incentive Program & Special Initiatives Augmentation Program; to develop science methods course taught by interdisciplinary team from Division of Science and Math and School of Education; Summer 2002; with 5 other faculty from the sciences.

"Revitalization of the Introductory Calculus-Based Mechanics Laboratory"; Presidential Teaching Initiative Award, from the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center, Grand Valley State University; Grant Administrator; Summer – Fall 2001; with B. Ambrose and K. Gipson.

PUBLICATIONS & Curriculum Development

Contributions to the development and assessment of curriculum in Physics by Inquiry, Volume III and Physical Science by Inquiry, L.C. McDermott and the Physics Education Group at the University of Washington (John Wiley & Sons, New York, under development).

Contributions to the development and assessment of published curriculum in Tutorials in Introductory Physics, 1^st Edition, L.C. McDermott, P.S. Shaffer, and the Physics Education Group at the University of Washington (Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2002).

J.R. Thompson, P.M. Weber, and R. Hellmer, "Extended operation of a wide-range, all-magnetic bearing turbomolecular pump without backing," J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 14(5), 2965 (1996).

J.R. Thompson, P.M. Weber, and P.J. Estrup, "Pump-probe low energy electron diffraction," in Time-Resolved Electron- and X-Ray Diffraction, Peter M. Rentzepis, Ed., Proc. SPIE 2521, 113 (1995).

RECENT PRESENTATIONS

Twenty-third state wide meeting of high school physics teachers, Orono, ME, May 2003, "Research on student understanding in physics: an example from two-dimensional kinematics." (Invited.)

The University of New Hampshire, Analytical/Physical Chemistry Seminar, Durham, NH, May 2003, "Discipline-based education research as a guide to teaching and learning: examples from physics." (Invited.)

University of Maine Association of Graduate Students Research Exposition, Orono, ME, April 2003, "An investigation into student understanding of tunneling," with J.T. Morgan and M.C. Wittmann. (Poster.)

Joint American Physical Society (APS)/American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Regional Meeting, New England Section, Williams College, Williamstown, MA, April 2003, "Promoting understanding of teaching and learning in physics: A graduate course in physics education research," with M.C. Wittmann.

The University of Maine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research Brown Bag Seminar, April 2003, "Promoting the understanding of teaching and learning in physics," with S.J. Kaback and M.C. Wittmann. (Invited.)

The University of Maine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research, Conference on Integrating Science and Mathematics Education Research into Teaching, Orono, ME, June 2002, "A Course in Physics Education Research for Teachers, Scientists, and Researchers," w/ M.C. Wittmann.

The University of Maine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research, Conference on Integrating Science and Mathematics Education Research into Teaching, Orono, ME, June 2002, "Identifying and addressing student difficulties with two-dimensional kinematics." (Invited.)

The University of Maine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research, Conference on Integrating Science and Mathematics Education Research into Teaching, Orono, ME, June 2002, "Preparing inservice and preservice elementary teachers to teach sound: A research-based approach." (Poster.)

Physics Education Research Conference, Rochester, NY, July 2001, "Preparing inservice and preservice elementary teachers to teach sound: A research-based approach." (Poster.)

123rd National AAPT Meeting, Rochester, NY, July 2001, "Preparing inservice and preservice elementary teachers to teach sound: A research-based approach."

The Ohio State University, Physics Education Research Group Seminar, Columbus, OH, May 2001, "Preparing inservice and preservice elementary teachers to teach sound: A research-based approach." (Invited.)

AAPT Regional Meeting, Michigan Section, Midland, MI, April 2001, "Preparing inservice and preservice elementary teachers to teach sound."

AAPT Regional Meeting, Michigan Section, Lansing, MI, October 2000, "Student understanding of two-dimensional kinematics: Identifying and addressing student difficulties," with B.S. Ambrose.

APS Northwest Section Meeting, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, May 2000, "The iterative process of research-based curriculum development: an example from two-dimensional kinematics," with Paula R.L. Heron, Peter S. Shaffer, and Lillian C. McDermott.

120th National AAPT Meeting, Kissimmee, FL, January 2000, "Investigating student understanding of the wave nature of sound," with Peter S. Shaffer, Stamatis Vokos, and Lillian C. McDermott.

Physics Education Research Conference, San Antonio, TX, August 1999, "Elementary Teacher Preparation and Enhancement Projects at the University of Washington."

119th National AAPT Meeting, San Antonio, TX, August 1999, "Preparing in-service teachers to teach physics and physical science: Examples from Physics by Inquiry," with C.P. Constantinou, Lezlie S. DeWater, and Lillian C. McDermott.

APS Centennial Meeting, Atlanta, GA, March 1999, "Pilot-testing as part of the curriculum development process: Examples from Physics by Inquiry and Tutorials in Introductory Physics," with Peter S. Shaffer and Lillian C. McDermott.

117th National AAPT Meeting, Lincoln, NE, August 1998, "Development and assessment of curriculum," with Paula R.L. Heron, Peter S. Shaffer, and Lillian C. McDermott.

University of Washington Physics Education Group Faculty Development Workshop, July 1998, "Research as a guide to the assessment of instruction."

Service to University and Community
Physics Education Research Community

Consultant, development of graduate-level course in Physics Education Research for Master's in Science Teaching Program, University of Maine, Orono, ME, May 2002.

Referee, Physics Education Research, A Supplement to the American Journal of Physics, July 2000.

Co-Chair, breakout session on Elementary Teacher Education, Physics Education Research Conference, San Antonio, TX, August 1999.

U. Maine

Physics & Astronomy Laboratory Curriculum Committee, Fall 2002 – present.

President's Working Group on K-12 Education, Fall 2002 – present

Co-organized Twenty-third State-Wide Meeting of High School Physics Teachers, May 2003

GVSU

Science and Math Division Teaching Effectiveness Committee, Fall 2001 – Winter 2002.

Science and Math Division Space Planning Task Force, Winter 2001.

Physics Department Search Committee, Winter 2001, Winter 2002.

Teacher Education Advisory Committee, Winter 2001 – Winter 2002.

Science Education Group, Fall 2000 – Summer 2002.

Outreach Activities and Workshops

May 2003 Twenty-third state wide meeting of high school physics teachers, Orono, ME, May 2003

Co-facilitated Small Group Learning Tools workshops on "The relativity of simultaneity" and "Waves, interference. and wave-particle duality," with M.C. Wittmann.

May 2003 New England Regional Conference of the American Society of Engineering Education, Orono, ME

Designed and co-facilitated Active Learning Workshop entitled "Using Physics Education Research to Improve Student Understanding of Hydrostatics," with M.C. Wittmann.

March 2003 DownEast Educational Partnership, Schoodic Point, ME

Designed and co-facilitated 2-hour content/pedagogy workshop on Astronomy for grades 6-12 teachers, with D.A. Batuski.

March 2003 Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Maine

Designed and co-facilitated faculty development "mini class" on Active Learning entitled "Research-based curriculum in introductory optics," with M.C. Wittmann.

December 2002 Lego League, University of Maine

Staffed Demonstration Table for physics at middle school lego competition

January-February 2002 Regional Math and Science Center, Grand Valley State University

Designed and co-facilitated 10-hour workshop on Designing Inquiry for elementary teachers. Part of a 3-workshop series on Inquiry.

January 2002 Regional Math and Science Center, GVSU

Designed and co-facilitated 10-hour content workshop on Magnets, Magnetic Fields, and Electromagnets for upper elementary and middle school teachers.

August 2001 Seattle (WA) School District K-5 Summer Institute

Modified curriculum for 20-hour, 1-week workshop on Sound for 3^rd Grade classroom teachers.

January 2001 Science Odyssey 2001: The Real Millenium, GVSU

Assembled hands-on experiments and activities dealing with spinning and balancing for members of the community to experiment with and learn from. Designed accompanying question-and-answer placards for informational and instructional purposes.

January 2001 Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center Winter Teaching Conference, GVSU

Designed and co-facilitated faculty development workshop entitled "Using Research on Student Understanding as a Guide for Instruction: An example in introductory optics," with B.S. Ambrose.

August 2000 Seattle School District K-5 Summer Institute

Revised curriculum for 20-hour, 1-week workshop on Sound for 3^rd Grade classroom teachers.

August 1999 Seattle School District K-5 Summer Institute

Wrote curriculum for and facilitated 15-hour, 1-week workshop on Sound for 3^rd Grade classroom teachers. Assisted with Electric Circuits workshop for separate group of 3^rd Grade classroom teachers.

August 1998 Seattle School District K-5 Summer Institute

Assisted in adapting curriculum for and facilitated half-day, 1-week workshop on Electric Circuits for 3^rd Grade classroom teachers.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Honorary Engineer, Francis Crowe Society, College of Engineering, U. Maine, (2003 – present)

American Association of Physics Teachers (1997-present)

American Physical Society (1992-present)

Sigma Pi Sigma/SPS (1989-present)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

New Faculty Events run by the Center for Teaching Excellence at the University of Maine:

So You're Thinking of Joining the Academy? (April 2003; Guest Speaker)
Hands-On Active Learning (March 2003; faciliator)
Active Learning Research, Part II (February 2003)
Active Leraning Research, Part I (February 2003)
Group Work/Group Conflict (Nov. 2002)
Confidentiality and Grades (Sept. 2002)