Co-PI Dr. Ala Samarapungavan is a Professor of Educational Psychology in the Department of Educational
Studies, Purdue University. Her areas of expertise include model-based conceptual development in science and
the assessment of science learning. She has served as Co-PI on several federally funded research projects on
science learning including the Scientific Literacy Project (SLP) funded by IES. She was PI on Modeling in
Primary Grades: Science Learning through Content Rich Inquiry (MPG) grant. For Sensing Science Through
Modeling Matter (S2M2) Ala will lead the research components on student learning (e.g., design and validation
of assessment instruments, data collection, and analysis). In addition, she will contribute to the design and
implementation of the teacher professional development course, the iterative enhancements of the S2M2 units,
implementation and support in the schools, as well as preparation of presentations and manuscripts.