My research borrows concepts from physics and applies them to education and social policy. We have developed a system of visualizing longitudinal data that takes its inspiration from fluid and statistical mechanics. We represent the data as a “flow” through time, which in turn allows us to create flow plots, streamlines, and trajectories.
One application of this methodology is to statewide standardized tests, which have yielded incredible amounts of data that we can analyze to try to predict student achievement and its correlation to variables such as poverty or ethnicity. Here, the students’ progression through the battery of standardized tests acts as a “flow” through a score-grade continuum, with students representing the “atoms” of our “fluid”. From there, we use our visualizations to help us explore the data, and to identify the effects of educational policies.
Assistant Instructor
Introduction to Mechanics for Physics Majors (PHY 101L)
University of Texas at Austin
Sept. 2008 – present
Teaching Assistant
Introduction to Mechanics for Physics Majors (PHY 101L)
University of Texas at Austin
Sept. 2007 – May 2008
Lecturer
Introduction to Mechanics – SABIC Foundation Year
University of Texas at Austin
Spring 2013
Lecturer
Introduction to Mechanics – BAPCO Program
University of Texas at Austin
Fall 2010
Ph.D. ‘ Physics
University of Texas at Austin
May 2014
B.S. ‘ Physics/Honors Mathematics
University of Notre Dame
May 2007
Anthony J. Bendinelli & M. Marder, “Visualization of longitudinal student data,” Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 8, 020119 (2012). Link to paper.
Balsara, Bendinelli, Tilley, Massari, & Howk (2008). Simulating anisotropic thermal conduction in supernova remnants ‘ II. Implications for the interstellar medium. Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 386, pp 642-656. Link to paper.
Visualizations of Student Flows