Professor Thornton researches physics and general science education. His research objective is to train graduate physicists to be university and college professors. He has been active in teacher improvement projects at the local, regional, and state level, and has developed a course in physical sciences for K-8 teachers to train them as leading science teachers. This led to a statewide televised course for K-12 teachers focusing on practical science, using kits developed by Professor Thornton. Eight of these courses have been developed. Students were instrumental in developing experiences and obtaining materials. Professor Thornton films lectures and demonstrations that are shown at local locations throughout Virginia as local adjunct professors assist teachers with hands-on experiences. Research in these courses will continue to be developed, and students willing to major in physics education are sought after.
Other areas of research currently under study include 1) the development of distance learning courses, 2) the change of problem narrative sections for large engineering and physics courses into a conceptual development session, and 3) the emphasis on collaborative learning in large lecture courses. These projects are possible MS and Ph.D. Thesis projects.