I am currently a fourth year international graduate student in TTE. I obtained a master’s degree in astronomy as well as a national teaching certifcate in physics from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. My research focuses on under- standing the teaching and learning of astronomy in tertiary education. My main interests are in theoretical work in the areas of knowledge structures, beliefs, and motivations of instructors and students, and pedagogical content knowledge in astronomy.

I gave two talks this year in Europe:

May: Dutch Astronomers’ Conference, Veldhoven, The Netherlands. Talk. Communicating Astronomy: Pitfalls and Booby Traps

I discussed knowledge organization in novices and experts, and introduced the concept of stereotype threat to the audience of professional astronomers.

July: Tage der Schulastronomie, Jena, Germany. Invited Talk. Research on Learner-Centered Astronomy Teaching in the USA

I provided an overview of research in astronomy education, with an emphasis on research on misconceptions, diagnostic tools for misconceptions and curriculum that promotes deeper conceptual understanding of astronomy.  At the request of one of the participants, I wrote an article introducing the field of astronomy education research, that is currently in the German (non peer-reviewed) journal Astronomie + Raumfahrt im Unterricht. The manuscript is called “Bildungsforschung in der Astronomie in den USA”.

In 2007 I had 4 publications:

Brogt, E. (2007). A Theoretical Background on a Successful Implementation of Lecture-Tutorials. Astronomy Education Review, 6(1).

Discusses the properties of an implementation of in-class curricular activities from an  expectancy-value perspective.

Brogt, E., Dokter, E., & Antonellis, J. (2007). Regulations and Ethical Considerations for Astronomy Education Research. Astronomy Education Review, 6(1).

Discusses the role of the institutional review board and US federal laws concerning socio-behavioral research.

Brogt, E., Sabers, D., Prather, E.E., Deming, G.L., Hufnagel, B., & Slater, T.F. (2007). Analysis of the Astronomy Diagnostic Test. Astronomy Education Review, 6(1).

Analyzes a large Astronomy Diagnostic Test database and discusses the usefulness of the Astronomy Diagnostic Test as a means to discriminate between various instructional styles.

Brogt, E. (2007). Astronomy Education: Becoming a Hybrid Researcher. Journal of Research Practice, 3(1), Article M2.

More autobiographical article for a special issue of the JRP on graduate student             experiences with research. Discusses being an international student and the change in profession from a research astronomer to science educator.