Candice Etson ( she/her or they/them )

Assistant Professor

Smith College

Physics

Pedagogical Methods Used

Peer Instruction / Think-Pair-Share, Collaborative problem-solving, Conceptually-oriented activities, Ranking tasks, Guided inquiry, SCALE-UP / studio / workshop physics, Experimentally-focused activities

Life Sciences Focus

I am especially interested in fostering an understanding of random motion and diffusion at the microscopic scale and the role that plays in seemingly directed or deterministic behavior at the macro scale.

Education Research and Pedagogy Expertise

I have done some research into how spatial reasoning impacts student learning in introductory physics courses. I also have experience developing guided inquiry lab activities to introduce novice students to bioinformatics and next-generation DNA sequencing.

Describe the courses that you teach for life sciences students

I teach a two-semester introductory physics course sequence for students in the life sciences, including pre-health students. The course integrates lab activities with lecture and group work.

What is your approach to teaching physics for life science students?

I try to help my students appreciate the ways that an understanding of physics can help them understand biological and chemical processes. I also encourage them to gain confidence using mathematical modeling and using mathematical approaches to problem solving.