Becoming a Physicist: How Identities and Practices Shape Physics Trajectories

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dc.contributor.advisorElby, Andrewen_US
dc.contributor.advisorTurpen, Chandraen_US
dc.contributor.authorQuan, Ginaen_US
dc.contributor.departmentPhysicsen_US
dc.contributor.publisherDigital Repository at the University of Marylanden_US
dc.contributor.publisherUniversity of Maryland (College Park, Md.)en_US
dc.date.accessioned2017-09-14T05:36:43Z
dc.date.available2017-09-14T05:36:43Z
dc.date.issued2017en_US
dc.description.abstractThis dissertation studies the relationships and processes which shape students' participation within the discipline of physics. Studying this early disciplinary participation gives insight to how students are supported in or pushed out of physics, which is an important step in cultivating a diverse set of physics students. This research occurs within two learning environments that we co-developed: a physics camp for high school girls and a seminar for undergraduate physics majors to get started in physics research. Using situated learning theory, we conceptualized physics learning to be intertwined with participation in physics practices and identity development. This theoretical perspective draws our attention to relationships between students and the physics community. Specifically, we study how students come to engage in the practices of the community and who they are within the physics community. We find that students' interactions with faculty and peers impact the extent to which students engage in authentic physics practices. These interactions also impact the extent to which students develop identities as physicists. We present implications of these findings for the design of physics learning spaces. Understanding this process of how students become members of the physics community will provide valuable insights into fostering a diverse set of successful trajectories in physics.en_US
dc.identifierhttps://doi.org/10.13016/M21R6N142
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/19900
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subject.pqcontrolledScience educationen_US
dc.subject.pqcontrolledPhysicsen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledIdentityen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledPhysicsen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledPracticeen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledUndergraduateen_US
dc.titleBecoming a Physicist: How Identities and Practices Shape Physics Trajectoriesen_US
dc.typeDissertationen_US

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