Education
- Ph.D. in Physics, 1999, University of Washington.
- MS in Physics, 1993, University of Washington.
- BS in Physics, 1991 (cum laude), Yale University.
Professional Experience
- Associate Professor of Physics, Grand Valley State University, 2005 to Present.
- Assistant Professor of Physics, Grand Valley State University, 1999 to 2005.
- Research Associate, University of Washington, 1999.
- Research Assistant, University of Washington, 1992 to 1999.
Teaching
According to an oft-quoted proverb, Tell me and I will forget, show me and I will remember, involve me and I will understand. As a teacher I focus not so much on what I tell students but on what they do. Whenever possible I incorporate a variety of inquiry-based teaching practices, so that students make direct observations of physical phenomena, draw inferences from their observations (whether qualitative or quantitative), and, as necessary, refine their with my assistance and the assistance of their peers. This kind of learning environment places student in the drivers seat and can allow meaningful learning to occur, whether the students are physics majors, pre-service teachers, or non-science majors.
Research Interests
My research focus is physics education research (PER), or the research in the teaching and learning of physics. I conduct in-depth investigations of student conceptual understanding and reasoning ability, with my particular focus being in advanced courses like intermediate mechanics and quantum physics. I incorporate the results from this research and other PER work to the development of innovative teaching materials and the adaptation of existing PER-based curricula.
For research and instructional materials related to ongoing work in intermediate mechanics, follow this link: "Tutorials in Intermediate Mechanics"
Research with Undergraduates
- K. Pachla, AY 2007 – 2008: Graphic organizers as assessment tools for the physics teacher.
- T. Major, AY 2007 – 2008: Exploring student understanding of equations through the conservation of energy.
- C. Carabulea, Fall 2005: Experimental modal analysis of an acoustic guitar (with Dr. Karen Gipson).
- K. Trebesh, AY 2003 – 2004: Investigating student understanding of Newton’s laws in relation to fluids.
- N. Immekus, Summer 2003: Assessing student learning in the introductory physics laboratory: Friction and conservation of linear momentum (Summer Student Scholars grant).
Selected Publications
- B.S. Ambrose, “Probing student reasoning and intuitions in intermediate mechanics: An example with linear oscillations,” Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, 2006, ed. L. McCullough, L. Hsu, and P. Heron, AIP Conference Proceedings.
- J. R. Thompson and B.S. Ambrose, “A literary canon in physics education research,” APS Forum on Education Newsletter, Fall 2005, ed. K. Cummings.
- B.S. Ambrose, “A repeat performance? Challenges in developing robust conceptual understanding among advanced students,” Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, 2004, ed. J. Marx, S. Franklin, and P. Heron, AIP Conference Proceedings.
- B.S. Ambrose, "Investigating student understanding in intermediate mechanics: Identifying the need for a tutorial approach to instruction", Am. J. Phys. Vol. 72, 453459 (2004).
- S. Vokos, P.S. Shaffer, B.S. Ambrose, L.C. McDermott, "Student understanding of the wave properties of matter: Diffraction and interference of particles", Phys. Ed. Res., Am. J. Phys. Suppl. 68, S42 S51 (2000).
- B.S. Ambrose, P.R.L. Heron, S. Vokos, L.C. McDermott, "Student understanding of light as an EM wave: Relating the formalism to physical phenomena," Am. J. Phys. Vol. 67, 891 898 (1999).
- B.S. Ambrose, P.S. Shaffer, R.N. Steinberg, L.C. McDermott, "An investigation of student understanding of single-slit diffraction and double-slit interference", Am. J. Phys. Vol. 67, 146 155 (1999).
Recent Invited Presentations
- Foundations and Frontiers in Physics Education Research Conference, Bar Harbor, ME August 2007
Targeted poster: “Examining the ‘many paths’ toward quantum mechanics: Probing student thinking about probability.”
- GVSU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Sabbatical Showcase, April 2007 Allendale, MI
Invited poster: “Assessing and refining an inquiry-based approach to teach intermediate mechanics.”
- Physics Colloquium, Western Michigan University, October 2006 Kalamazoo, MI Invited seminar: “Because physics majors encounter conceptual difficulties too: Refining an inquiry-based approach to teach intermediate mechanics.”
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Research Colloquium GVSU, September 2006 Allendale, MI
Invited paper: “Because physics majors encounter conceptual difficulties too: Refining an inquiry-based approach to teach intermediate mechanics”
- Physics Education Research Conference, July 2006 Syracuse, NY With C. Singh (U. Pittsburgh), co-organizer for targeted poster session TP-C: “Investigations of Student Learning in Upper Division Courses that Link Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering” Targeted poster TP-C1: “Probing student understanding of intermediate mechanics and its applications: An example with linear oscillations”
- B.S. Ambrose, Utilizing tutorials to investigate and enhance student learning in intermediate mechanics, Invited paper at the AAPT Summer National Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, August 2005.
- B.S. Ambrose, Challenges in enhancing student learning in intermediate mechanics: Identifying the need for a tutorial approach to instruction, Invited paper at the APS National Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, March 2005.
Grants & Other Awards
- 2006 GVSU Pew Teaching Excellence Award - One of six awards in 2006 given to faculty to recognize outstanding teachers across the university.
- NSF CCLI-EMD Grant DUE-0441426 (2005 – 2007): “Developing a Tutorial Approach to Enhance Student Learning of Intermediate Mechanics” Collaborative project with M. Wittmann (Univ. of Maine), totaling approx. $75,000. Development and preliminary assessment of inquiry-based materials for the teaching of upper-level mechanics.
Recent Workshops
- CESME Workshop on Learning by Inquiry in Science and Grand Rapids, MI Mathematics, August 2008 Workshop: “Teaching college-level physics more effectively: Connecting research to practice”
- AAPT National Meeting, July 2008 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Invited session/tutorial: “Tutorials in Intermediate Mechanics”
- Michigan Science Teachers Association Meeting, March 2008 Lansing, MI, College Strand Day workshop: “Some lessons learned from physics education research”
- National Science Teachers Association Meeting, October 2007 Detroit, MI with C. Henderson (Western Michigan University), Physics Strand Day workshop: “How can physics education research help me teach more effectively?”
- First Midwest Symposium on Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science, Chicago, IL October 2007 Breakout session/workshop: “Using research to improve student learning in upper division physics: An example in intermediate mechanics”
Professional Service
- Co-chair, 2008 Gordon Research Conference, Physics Research and Education: Computation and Computer-based Instruction, 2006 – 2008.
- Co-vice chair, 2006 Gordon Research Conference, Physics Research and Education: Electromagnetism, 2004 – 2006.
Professional Affiliations
- American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
- Michigan Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers (MiAAPT)
- American Physical Society (APS)
|
