EMCS 2026
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Improving Student Understanding of Energy and Momentum Concepts
The Energy and Momentum Conceptual Survey (EMCS) is a multiple-choice survey that contains a variety of energy and momentum concepts including potential and kinetic energies, work energy theorem, mechanical energy conservation, impulse-momentum theorem, and momentum conservation in both one and two dimensions. Prior studies suggest that many concepts on the survey are challenging for introductory physics students and the average student scores after traditional instruction are low. We will elaborate on these findings and discuss strategies to improve student understanding of these concepts.
This workshop is free and will be virtual via Zoom.
During the 2025-2026 academic year, we are offering a series of presentation-discussion-workshops to share some of the many research-validated assessment instruments used in the physics education community. Join us to learn how you can use these instruments to inform your teaching, to assess your students' learning, and to contribute to a wider body of knowledge about physics students at two-year colleges.
Facilitators:
- Mary Jane Brundage (Misericordia University, PA)
- Chandralekha Singh (University of Pittsburg, PA)
