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Debbie Hearn (B.Sc. (Hon), Saskatchewan, M.Sc., British Columbia, Ph.D., Calgary) 

Debbie is delighted to have been at Malaspina (VIU) since August, 1999. The small class sizes and the beautiful surroundings make it a wonderful place to teach and learn physics. She taught physics for many years at the University of Calgary before coming to Nanaimo. 

Debbie is very interested in research about physics teaching and how to make it more effective. She has had a lifelong interest in creativity in science, and its relationship to scientific discovery and problem solving. She is in the process of designing and coding a computer program that solves qualitative physics problems in a way that demonstrates understanding of physics, much as an expert, as opposed to a novice, might do. The program is based on the premise that successful understanding of physics is related to how we structure our knowledge about it.

Debbie is also very interested in quantum mechanics, and in studying some alternative interpretations of the theory. As well, she continues to be interested in space physics, specifically modeling the Earth's magnetospheric magnetic field in order to better understand the aurora.

Debbie can be reached by voice mail at (250)753-3245, local 2641, or by email to deborah.hearn@viu.ca.

 

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Malaspina University-College