Representation use is a critical skill for learning, problem solving, and communicating in science, especially in physics where multiple representations often scaffold the understanding of a phenomenon. University Modeling Instruction, which is an active-learning, research-based introductory physics curriculum centered on students' use of scientific models, has made representation use a primary learning goal with explicit class time devoted to introducing and coordinating representations as part of the model building process. However, because of the semester break, the second semester course, Modeling Instruction-Electricity and Magnetism (MI-EM), contains a mixture of students who are returning from the Modeling Instruction-mechanics course (to whom we refer to as "returning students") and students who are new to Modeling Instruction with the MI-EM course (to whom we refer to as "new students").In this study, we analyze the impact of MI-EM on students' representation choices across the introductory physics content for these different groups of students by examining both what individual representations students choose and their average number of representations on a modified card-sort survey with a variety of mechanics and EM questions. Using Wilcoxon-signed-rank tests, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests, Cliff's delta effect sizes, and box plots, we compare students' representation choices from pre-to postsemester, from new and returning students, and from mechanics and EM content. We find that there is a significant difference between returning and new students' representation choices, which serves as a baseline comparison between Modeling Instruction and traditional lecture-based physics classes. We also find that returning students maintain a high representation use across the MI-EM semester, while new students see significant growth in their representation use regardless of content.

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Previous studies about career outcome expectations, or what students hope to achieve in their careers, have revealed strong relationships between outcome expectations and STEM career choice. Drawing from a US national survey with responses from 15,847 students in mandatory College English courses (Outreach Programs and Science Career Intentions, NSF # 1161052), we examined the relationship between students outcome expectations and physics identity. It has previously been found that students with certain outcome expectations are more likely to develop a physics identity. Expanding beyond prior work, we focus on how outcome expectations are related to physics identity for students grouped by: (i) medical and engineering career aspirations, and (ii) female and male self-identification. The results provide a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between outcome expectations and physics identity for different students.

Abstract. Previous analysis of common exam questions in introductory physics at Florida International University has revealed differences in the number and type of epistemic games played by students in their solutions. Separated by course format (lecture/lab, lecture/lab/recitation, or inquiry-based), student work also shows varying use of multiple representational tools. Here we examine representation use in more detail to establish a descriptive picture of representation use across multiple instructors and course formats. We then compare these profiles with the epistemic games played by students, asking whether the same epistemic game shows the same pattern of representational tools across course types. We find that patterns of representation use vary by course format, but there are generally not clear representational "signatures" to uniquely identify epistemic games.

Abstract. This study considers the impact of instructor on the gender gap in students' scores on the Force Concept Inventory (FCI) in Modeling Instruction (MI) courses at Florida International University (FIU). Earlier work has shown that MI had increased FCI scores overall when compared to traditional lecture courses; however, the gap between male and female students' scores in the MI courses increased over the course of the semester. Student data were collected from 559 students at FIU, over 18 semesters, with 10 different instructors. General linear regression was used to determine the significance of the student gender and instructor factors in predicting a student's FCI score post-instruction and the fraction of variance explained by these factors. Effect sizes were then calculated from the difference in female students' gains from male students' gains and compared between instructors. Analysis showed an instructor-independent, medium effect favoring male students' scores on the FCI.

Abstract. We present the preliminary results of a study on student use of representations in problem solving within the Modeling Instruction Physics 2 course (MI-Phys2), which covers introductory electricity and magnetism (E&M). Representational competence is a critical skill needed for students to develop a sophisticated understanding of college science topics and to succeed in their science courses. In this study, approximately 70 students from the MI-Phys2 course were given a survey of 25 physics problem statements both pre-and post-instruction, over both Newtonian mechanics (NM) and E&M. For each problem statement, students were asked to select one or more representations the would use in that given situation. We analyze the survey results through network analysis (NA) in order to identify which students selected similar representations. We also compare the student networks for those students who had previously taken the Modeling Instruction Physics 1 course (MI-Phys1) and those students who had taken an alternative Physics 1 course.

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