Mel S. Sabella
Chicago State University
Chemistry and Physics Department
Room 232

773-995-2172
(fax) 773-995-3809



Classes

Physics 315, Electricity and Magnetism (Course site)
Spring 2008

Experience 
 
CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY
(Present)
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS
CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (1999-2001)
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
PHYSICS EDUCATION GROUP


PROJECTS
nsf logo Creating Innovative Physics Learning Environments in the Urban Classroom
(NSF: CCLI, 0632563 )
(2007-2009) This project involves implementing new instructional materials in the introductory physics classes and assessing whether these materials are effective in promoting student understanding.

nsf logo Creating Research-Based Single Concept Question Sequences for In-Class Polling Systems
(NSF: CCLI, 0618128) 
(2006-2009) This project is a collaborative project led by the Ohio State University.  The project involves creating question sequences that will be used in the lecture portion of the introductory physics classes.

world year of physics logo The Physics Van Inservice Institute in the World Year of Physics
(APS: Physics on the Road Program)

(2005) This project enhances our current offerings for Chicago area students by acquiring new, technology-rich equipment for use in our Physics Van Program.


nsf logo Improving Student Understanding of Physics at an Inner-City University
(NSF: CCLI-A&I, 410068)
(2004-2007)  This project is a curriculum development project that will tie conceptual Tutorials with Activity-based Tutorials that utilize computers and modern pedagogical equipment.
 
The Chicago Collaborative for High School Science Education and Outreach:  The Physics Van Inservice Institute
(IBHE)
(2004-2007) Program to help support high school teachers in the implementation of laboratories in the physics classroom.  Supported by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
 
RDO logo Investigations into the effectiveness of a research-based curriculum at Chicago State University (2002-2003) Supported by a EARDA grant from the National Institutes of Health administered through the Research and Development office and a Research Cues award from CSU.
 


EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND (1994-1999) 
PhD. PROGRAM IN PHYSICS
PHYSICS EDUCATION RESEARCH GROUP

Dissertation:Using the Context of Physics Problem-Solving to Evaluate the Coherenceof Student Knowledge
 

BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY   (1989-1994) 
BS IN PHYSICS

RESEARCH INTERESTS
  • Conducting investigations into how students come to understand physics
  • Use of technology in the classroom
  • Investigating how students use conceptual understanding in quantitative problem solving
  • Adapting materials for use in the algebra-based and calculus-based physics classes at CSU
     

PAPERS: 

RECENT 
P
RESENTATIONS 
  • Building knowledge without building an underlying structure, presented at the Ohio State University Physics Education Research Group Seminar, (Feb 25, 2008)
  • The Chicago State University Physics Van In-service Institute, presented at the Wisconsin Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers Meeting, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI (10/2007)
  • Involving undergraduate researchers in instructional reform and research on the student learning of physics, with Stephanie A. Barr, Jameson Eisinas, Sean Gallardo, Crystalann Jones, Lorne Nash, presented at Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science Symposium, Roosevelt University (October 2007.)
  • Instructional reform and the importance of promoting coherence in physics knowledge, presented at the Summer AAPT meeting, Greensboro, NC (July 2007)
  • Helping Tibetan monks develop a domain model of ferromagnetism., presented at the Summer AAPT meeting, Greensboro, NC (July 2007)
  • Teaching and Learning Physical Science in Urban Secondary Schools: Assessing the Assessments, presented at the national American Education Research Association, Chicago, IL (April 2007).
  • The Physics Van Inservice Institute: Assessing the effectiveness of inquiry-based instructional materials in the high school classroom, presented at the 2007 Capitol showcase sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education (March 2007)
  • Applying the Methods and Tools of PER to Reveal Isolated Sets of Knowledge in Physics Students, presented at Summer AAPT meeting, Syracuse, NY (July 2006)
  • Improving Introductory Physics at Chicago State University -  parts I and II: Background, Motivation, and Research. K. Coble, S. Bowen, and M.S. Sabella, presented at Summer AAPT meeting, Syracuse, NY (July 2006)
  • Implementing and evaluating instructional reform in the urban physics classroom, presented at Integrating Science and Mathematics Education Research into Teaching Conference, University of Maine (June 2006)

RETURNS

Chemistry and Physics Department

Chicago State University

page prepared by Mel S. Sabella (last updated 6-07) 
email: msabella@csu.edu