Research and Background

Deborah Herrington (PI) is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and the Integrated Science Program at Grand Valley State University. She received her Ph.D. in Chemistry Education from Purdue University. Her research interests focus on improving the teaching and learning of chemistry from middle school through college. Active research projects include development and evaluation of effective professional development for grades 6-12 science teachers, examining student use of simulations and screencasts to construct understanding of core chemistry concepts outside the classroom, development of assessment items to measure students abilities to use science practices, and using text messaging to encourage student self-assessment and provide formative assessment data to guide instruction. She will coordinate the collection of data and facilitate the faculty cohort at GVSU.

Contact

• Email: herringd@gvsu.edu
• Website: www.gvsu.edu/targetinquiry

Sofia Karampagia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Grand Valley State University. She received her
Ph.D. in Physics at National Technical University of Athens. Her research focuses on nuclear structure. She will work with
the 3DL4US team to develop assessments and to rethink teaching approaches that promote student learning for introductory
physics courses.

Josh Veazey is an assistant professor in the Department of Physics at Grand Valley State University. He received his Ph.D. in Physics at Michigan State University. Josh teaches introductory level physics and advanced lab (beyond the first year). He currently serves as the faculty introductory lab coordinator for the physics department at GVSU. Josh’s instructional focus includes data- and inquiry-based activities, as well as alternative forms of grading such as specifications and standards-based grading. He also enjoys involving undergraduates in his research on thin-film multiferroics, and on development of new advanced lab apparatus.