Contact Information

Biography

As a faculty member, Dr. Brown's research focuses on enhancing physics education through innovative curricular strategies. Her dissertation explored the impact of explicit, analogous problem comparisons on novice problem-solving practices among engineering physics students. The study demonstrated improved selection of physically relevant examples and higher overall course performance. Dr. Brown extended this research to a broader context at Penn State Altoona, refining the methodology for introductory algebra-based and engineering-based physics students.

Education

  • B.S. Physics and Applied Mathematics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
  • Ph.D. Physics, Kansas State University (KSU)
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Research Interests

  • Development of curricular strategies to enhance novice problem-solving practices in physics
  • Investigation of students' reliance on surface features in selecting examples for homework problems
  • Exploration of the effectiveness of explicit, analogous problem comparisons in improving students' selection of physically meaningful examples
  • Examination of students' perceptions of problem comparison tasks and identification of motivators for individual participation
  • Repetition of the study in different classroom environments to refine project design and improve problem-solving performance
  • Addressing challenges in implementing successful educational strategies within institutional constraints
  • Research on scientific ethics in STEM education, including a qualitative survey to understand students' perceptions of academic assistance and cheating
  • Utilization of the survey to make institutional policies explicit and inhibit cheating at the beginning of the semester
  • Development of a curriculum for an online Rocket Science course aligned with discovery-based learning methodologies
  • Integration of mechanical physics and thermal physics concepts through the use of a videogame-style simulator, "Kerbal Space Program"
  • Ongoing challenges in sustaining interest, learning advanced algebraic manipulation, and overcoming failed launch attempts in the Rocket Science course
  • Consideration of further development incorporating the use of "Universe Sandbox2," an orbital simulator, for a comprehensive learning experience.

School

Publications

1. Mateycik, Fran A., and Kendra E. Sheaffer. “Assessing Students’ Epistemic Logic using Clause Topics during Problem Comparison.” American Institute of Physics Conference Proceedings, Philadelphia PA, August 1-2, 2012, pages 286-289.

2. Mateycik, Fran A., and Kendra E. Sheaffer. “Using Students’ Ratings of Problem Similarity to Assess Course-Integrated Contrast and Compare Activities.” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, Orlando FL, April 3-6, 2011. CD publication, 22 pages.

3. “Students’ Rating of Problem Similarity as a Measure of Problem-Solving Expertise,” Fran Mateycik, David Jonassen, and N. Sanjay Rebello, Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, March 20-24, 2010, Philadelphia, PA.

4. “Case Reuse in Algebra-Based Physics: Implementation of Facilitating Strategies,” Fran Mateycik, David Jonassen, and N. Sanjay Rebello, Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, March 20-24, 2010, Philadelphia, PA.

5. “Using Similarity Rating Tasks to Assess Case Reuse in Problem Solving,” Fran Mateycik, David Jonassen, and N. Sanjay Rebello, AIP Conf. Proc., July 29-30, 2009, Ann Arbor, MI.

6. “Facilitating Case-based Reasoning in Physics Problem Solving,” Fran Mateycik, David Jonassen, and N. Sanjay Rebello, Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, April 17-21, 2009, Garden Grove, CA.

7. “Do structure maps facilitate expert-like problem solving strategies in physics?,” Fran Mateycik, David Jonassen, and N. Sanjay Rebello. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, April 17-21, 2009, Garden Grove, CA.

8. “Students' Use of Structure Maps to Facilitate Problem Solving in Algebra-Based Physics,” Fran Mateycik, David Jonassen, N. Sanjay Rebello, AIP Conf. Proc., July 24-25, 2008, Edmonton, AB Canada.

9. “Students' Perceptions of Case-Reuse Based Problem Solving in Algebra-Based Physics,” Fran Mateycik, Zdeslav Hrepic, David Jonassen, N. Sanjay Rebello, AIP Conf. Proc. Vol 951 pp. 144-147. 2007.

10. “Student Descriptions of Refraction and Optical Fibers,” Fran Mateycik, DJ Wagner, JJ Rivera, Sybillin Jennings, AIP Conf. Proc. Vol 790:1 pp.169-172. 2004.

11. “Using Electronic Interviews to Explore Student Understanding,” DJ Wagner, JJ Rivera, Fran Mateycik, Sybillin Jennings, AIP Conf. Proc. Vol 790: 1 pp. 201-204. 2004.