Andrew Mason, PhD
Andrew Mason, PhD
Professor
LSC 167
(501) 852-0050
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Preparatory Background:
B.S., Physics, summa cum laude, Distinguished Honors Scholar, University at Buffalo – The State University of New York, 2004
M.S., Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh, 2005
Ph.D., Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh, 2009
Concentration: Physics Cognition Research
2009-2011: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Member:
–聽聽聽聽聽聽 American Association of Physics Teachers
–聽聽聽聽聽聽 American Physical Society
–聽聽聽聽聽聽 Phi Beta Kappa
–聽 聽 聽 聽 Phi Eta Sigma
–聽 聽 聽 聽Sigma Pi Sigma
Research Interests:
My research focuses on experimental investigation of physics problem solving and topics in physics cognition that relate to this topic. Specific current interests include classroom implementation of physics problem solving skills, development of tutorials designed for upper-level physics problem solving, reflection and self-diagnosis of solution errors in paired problems, and attitudes and approaches to problem solving in introductory algebra-based physics.
Google Scholar:
Recent External Organizational Activities
鈥淰irtual Tools for Developing SCLAs: An Example of Concentration Analysis.鈥� A. Mason, L. McDermott, M. Gilhooly, D. Meredith, J. Vesenka, D.J. Wagner, D. Young, and R. Lindell. In 2025 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings (PER Central), Eds: A. Pawl, J. Zwolak, and A. Leak, Washington D.C.: August 7-8, 2025, pp. 258-263, 漏 2025.
鈥淧roblem Solving Frameworks for Tutorials in Upper Division Electricity and Magnetism.鈥� J. Hecht, M. Rundquist, S. Read, D. Neilsen, A. Mason, and J. Colton. In 2025 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings (PER Central), Eds: A. Pawl, J. Zwolak, and A. Leak, Washington D.C.: August 7-8, 2025, pp. 190-195, 漏 2025.
鈥淲hither PER II? Future Directions for PER.鈥� Organized and presided by A. Mason and R. Zich, alsopresided by J. Morton, presented at the 2025 Physics Education Research Conference, Washington, DC, 8/7/25.
鈥淪olo PER: Networking and Collaboration for Individual Researchers.鈥� Organized and presided by R. Zich and A. Mason, presented at the 2025 Physics Education Research Conference, Washington, DC, 8/6/25.
Chair, Organizing Committee, 2024 Physics Education Research Conference (PERC). Commmittee: A Mason, C. Rebello (Toronto Metropolitan University), T. Zu (Northwestern University). Theme: “Bridging the Institutional Gap: PER at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions, Two-Year Colleges, and K-12 Institutions” Location and date: Boston, MA: July 10-11, 2024.
“Whither PER? Past, Present, and Concerns about the Future.” Community Connections session (introductioin by organizers, followed by group discussions). Organized and presided by A. Mason and R. Zich. Presented at the 2024 Physics Education Research Conference, Boston, MA, 7/10/24.
Selected Publications Since 2016:
鈥淰irtual Tools for Developing SCLAs: An Example of Concentration Analysis.鈥� A. Mason, L.聽McDermott, M. Gilhooly, D. Meredith, J. Vesenka, D.J. Wagner, D. Young, and R. Lindell. Submitted to 2025 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings (PER Central), Eds: A. Pawl and J. Zwolak,Washington D.C.: August 7-8, 2025, accepted July 25, 2025; in press, publication anticipated Fall 2025.
鈥淧roblem Solving Frameworks for Tutorials in Upper Division Electricity and Magnetism.鈥� J. Hecht, M. Rundquist, S. Read, D. Neilsen, A. Mason, and J. Colton. Submitted to 2025 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings (PER Central), Eds: A. Pawl and J. Zwolak, Washington D.C.: August 7-8, 2025, accepted July 25, 2025; in press, publication anticipated Fall 2025.
– Note: This is a product of mentoring J. Hecht鈥檚 senior thesis by A. Mason and J. Colton.
“A Preliminary Study of Upper-Division Tutorial Explicitly Built on a Problem-Solving Framework.”聽A. Mason,聽J. Hecht, D. Baldwin-Bott, D. Neilsen, and J. Colton Accepted for 2024 Physics Education Research Conference Proceeding (PER Central), Eds: Q. Ryan, A. Pawl, and J. Zwolak, pp. 268-273, 漏 2024.
“Improving Performance in Upper-Division Electricity and Magnetism with Explicit Incentives to Correct Mistakes.鈥� A. Mason, J. McCardell, P. White, and J. Colton. Physical Review Physics Education Research 19(2), 020104, 漏 2023.
鈥淲hat Physics Instructors Can Learn From Astronomy Teaching.鈥� M. Good, A. Mason, and C. Singh. The Physics Teacher 61(5), pp. 360-363, 漏 2023.
鈥淩eworking exam problems to incentivize improved performance in upper-division electrodynamics.鈥� A. Mason and J. Colton. In 2022 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings (PER Central), Eds: B. Frank, D. Jones, and Q. Ryan, 漏 2022, pp. 298-303.
鈥淟earning goals and perceived irrelevance to major within life science majors in introductory physics.鈥� A. Mason. In 2019 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings (PER Central), Eds: Y. Cao, S. Wolf, and M. Bennett, 漏 2020.
鈥淧erceived irrelevance and achievement goals: Two mindset variables within attitudinal experiences of life science majors in introductory physics.鈥� A. Mason. Physical Review Physics Education Research 17(2), 020124, 漏 2021.
鈥淐omparing introductory physics and astronomy students鈥� attitudes and approaches to problem solving.鈥� M. Good, A. Mason, and C. Singh. European Journal of Physics 39(6), 065702, 漏 2018.
鈥淐onsideration of learning orientations as an application of
achievement goals in evaluating life science majors in introductory physics.鈥� A. Mason and C. Bertram. Physical Review Physics Education Research 14(1), 010125, 漏 2018.
鈥淭he Effect of Students鈥� Learning Orientations on Performance in Problem Solving Pedagogical Implementations.鈥� C. Bertram and A. Mason. In 2017 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings (PER Central), Eds: L. Ding, A. Trexler, and Y. Cao, 56-59, 漏 2017.
鈥淧otential Relationship of Epistemic Games to Group Dynamics and Learning Orientations towards Physics Problem Solving.鈥� A. Mason and C. Bertram. In 2016 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings (PER Central), Eds: D. Jones, L. Ding, and A. Trexler, 224-227, 漏 2016.
鈥淪urveying Introductory Physics Students鈥� Attitudes and Approaches to Problem Solving.鈥� A. Mason and C. Singh. European Journal of Physics 37(5), 055704, 漏 2016.
鈥淎ssessing Problem Solving in the Classroom: A Problem-Solving Rubric with Application to Introductory Physics.鈥� J. Docktor, J. Dornfeld, E. Frodermann, K. Heller, L. Hsu, K.A. Jackson, A. Mason, Q. Ryan, J. Yang. Physical Review Physics Education Research 12(1), 010130, 漏 2016.
鈥淚mpact of Guided Reflection with Peers on the Development of
Effective Problem Solving Strategies and Physics Learning.鈥� A. Mason and C. Singh. Physics Teacher 54(5), 295-299, 漏 2016.
鈥淐omputer Problem-solving Coaches for Introductory Physics I: Design and Usability Studies.鈥� Q.X. Ryan, E. Frodermann, K. Heller, L. Hsu, and A. Mason. Physical Review Physics Education Research 12(1), 010105, 漏 2016.
鈥淯sing Categorization of Problems as an Instructional Tool to Help Introductory Students Learn Physics.鈥� A. Mason and C. Singh. Physics Education (IOP) 51, 025009, 漏 2016.
(Note: Selected for inclusion in the 鈥淗ighlights of 2016鈥� collection by the Editors of Physics Education (IOP), on May 17, 2017. Source:聽听.)
鈥淟earning from mistakes: The effect of students’ written self-diagnoses on subsequent problem solving.鈥� A. Mason, E. Yerushalmi, E. Cohen, and C. Singh. Physics Teacher 54(2), 87-90, 漏 2016.
鈥淪urveying Turkish High School and University Students’ Attitudes and Approaches to Physics Problem Solving.鈥� N. Balta, A. Mason, and C. Singh. Physical Review Physics Education Research 12(1), 010129, 漏 2016.
鈥淭he Effect of Giving Explicit Incentives to Correct Mistakes on
Subsequent Problem Solving in Quantum Mechanics.鈥� B. Brown, A. Mason, and C. Singh. Physical Review Physics Education Research 12(1),010121, 漏 2016.