Research Initiation Grant: Conceptual and Mathematical Representations in Optical Engineering

这个工程教育研究启动补助金旨在让工程教师与物理教育研究人员合作，以了解学生在光学方面的数学和概念理解之间的一致性。 本研究将采用一种创新的访谈方法，引出光学偏振和平面波的概念和数学表示。本项目的更广泛的意义和重要性来自于它能够告知其他人学生如何学习将抽象概念的概念和数学表示结合起来。 研究者还将让本科生参与计划中的研究，从而促进他们的专业发展和指导。 该项目与NSF的战略目标重叠，即通过准备一支具有新能力和专业知识的工程队伍来改变前沿。 此外，NSF为社会创新的目标是通过为教育政策和实践提供信息来创造对社会有用的成果和研究来实现的。

This engineering education research initiation grant seeks to engage an engineering faculty member with physics education researchers to understand the alignment between students' mathematical and conceptual understanding in optics. The research will use an innovative interview method to elicit both conceptual and mathematical representations of optical polarization and plane waves.The broader significance and importance of this project arises from its ability to inform others how students learn to integrate conceptual and mathematical representations of abstract ideas. The investigator will also engage undergraduate students in the planned research, thus contributing to their professional development and mentoring. This project overlaps with NSF's strategic goals of transforming the frontiers through preparation of an engineering workforce with new capabilities and expertise. Additionally NSF's goal of innovating for society is enabled by creating results and research that are useful for society by informing educational policy and practices.