Katherine Bradley

About

Research Interests:

Katherine is interested in physics education research (PER), with a focus on developing interactive learning tools that enhance student understanding of complex physics concepts. Her work explores how digital simulations and virtual reality can increase engagement, conceptual retention, and accessibility. She is also interested in integrating real-world issues, such as climate change, into physics curricula to foster a sense of scientific responsibility and motivation.

Current Research:

Katherine is currently working with Dr. Lynn Cominsky to develop Climate Lens, a virtual reality (VR) simulation designed to help users visualize abstract physics concepts through immersive experiences. The project models the journey of solar radiation as it interacts with Earth’s surface and atmosphere, focusing on phenomena such as solar irradiance and Rayleigh scattering. To support the simulation, she is also designing a website that provides insights into the development process and offers explanations of the physics concepts featured in the simulation.