Education Commons^™

High School Student Narratives Of Error Analysis: A Qualitative Investigation Into Literacy For Geometry Learning, Dean Petti

Doctor of Education in Secondary and Middle Grades Education Dissertations

This narrative inquiry aimed to relate student narratives to error analysis of Geometry problems as a form of literacy implementation. Teachers need to develop a deep understanding and application of mathematics content through qualitative research to find connections to practice (Enderson et al., 2010). Geometry is a worthwhile subject to understand our world from various perspectives and to spur our imagination with constructing objects based on properties undergoing dynamic changes. However, teachers and researchers often wonder why most secondary students need help with the significance of learning and applying Geometry concepts. Literacy implementation bridges students' narrative experiences and relevance to …

Comparison Between The Effectiveness Of Mysci And Openscied Curricula On The Achievement And Attitudes Of Eighth Grade Science Students, Nicole Vick, Nina Blanton

Dissertations

Educators have struggled with maintaining student engagement in science, especially as students transition from primary to middle school and upper grades (Vedder-Weiss & Fortus, 2012). A recent push in science education has been the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), released in 2013, whose development was guided by A K-12 Framework for Science Education (NGSS Lead States, 2013). As a result, more educators have been incorporating curricula that require students to ascertain disciplinary core ideas using lenses of cross cutting concepts while engaged in science and engineering practices; the three dimensions of NGSS performance expectations (PE) also …

Examination Of Training On Pre-Service Science Teachers’ Views On Socio-Scientific Issues And Nature Of Science, Aylin Çam

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Science continuously interacts with the social environment. Science develops with social needs, and society develops and changes with scientific advances. These changes and developments may cause dilemmas in society. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the improvements among pre-service science teachers in terms of socio-scientific issues and nature of science after explicit theoretical and practical training. The participants in this case study were 16 voluntary pre-service science teachers. In-depth views of the pre-service science teachers on nature of science and socio-scientific issues were examined with open-ended questions and reflective diaries. After the training, the understanding of the …

Identifying Advantages To Teaching Linear Regression In A Modeling And Simulation Introductory Statistics Curriculum, Kit Harris Clement

Dissertations and Theses

Statistical association is a key facet of statistical literacy: claims based on relationships between variables or ideas rooted in data are found everywhere in media and discourse. A key development in introductory statistics curricula is the use of simulation-based inference, which has shown positive outcomes for students, especially in regards to statistical literacy and conceptual understanding. In this dissertation project, I investigate students from the Change Agents for the Teaching and Learning of STatistics (CATALST) curriculum in activities I designed for learning statistical association and linear regression. First, I analyzed the informal line fitting strategies of CATALST students. Findings suggest …

Reading Primary Scientific Literature: Approaches For Teaching Students In The Undergraduate Stem Classroom, Lara K. Goudsouzian, Jeremy L. Hsu

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Teaching undergraduate students to read primary scientific literature (PSL) is cited as an important goal for many science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classes, given a range of cognitive and affective benefits for students who read PSL. Consequently, there are a number of approaches and curricular interventions published in the STEM education literature on how to teach students to read PSL. These approaches vary widely in their instructional methods, target student demographic, required class time, and level of assessment demonstrating the method's efficacy. In this Essay, we conduct a systematic search to compile these approaches in an easily accessible …

Detecting A Possible Correlation Between Hands-On Experimentation And Scientific Data Analysis In 8th Grade Students, Breana Dobesh, Phu Vu

Middle Grades Review

This Practitioner Perspective reports on action research that examined the impact of integrating hands-on experimentation on eighth- grade students skills of scientific data analysis and interpretation in a science middle school class. The intervention given to the treatment group was tasking students with completing scientific experiments during their daily lessons, along with collecting and analyzing data from those experiments. Collected data through both control and treatment groups indicated that there was no significant difference in mean test scores between the two groups. Discussions and suggestions for future studies were included.

Community-Derived Core Concepts For Neuroscience Higher Education, Audrey Chen, Kimberley A. Phillips, Jennifer E. Schaefer, Patrick M. Sonner

Biology Faculty Publications

Core concepts provide a framework for organizing facts and understanding in neuroscience higher education curricula. Core concepts are overarching principles that identify patterns in neuroscience processes and phenomena and can be used as a foundational scaffold for neuroscience knowledge. The need for community-derived core concepts is pressing, because both the pace of research and number of neuroscience programs are rapidly expanding. While general biology and many subdisciplines within biology have identified core concepts, neuroscience has yet to establish a community-derived set of core concepts for neuroscience higher education. We used an empirical approach involving more than 100 neuroscience educators to …

(R2052) Flow Patterns For Newtonian And Non-Newtonian Fluids In A Cylindrical Pipe, Erick Sanchez, Dambaru Bhatta

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

A fully developed laminar steady flow of an incompressible, viscous fluid in a horizontal cylindrical pipe is considered here. Flow patterns for an incompressible, viscous fluid for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids such as shear-thinning, shear-thickening and Bingham plastic fluids are analyzed in this study. Assuming that the flow is only due to the wall shear stress and the pressure drop, the velocity component in the axial direction for these cases is derived. Computational results of the velocity profiles for various cases are obtained using MATLAB and presented in graphical forms. It is observed that the velocity profile is parabolic …

Curriculum Evaluation Of The Academy Of Global Logistics Program: Connections To Stem Education, Ann Y. Kim, Tyler Reeb, Jaylee Jordan, Youngjin Song

Mineta Transportation Institute

The Academy of Global Logistics (AGL) is a career technical education program developed in collaboration with the Port of Long Beach and the Long Beach Unified School District and with support from the Center for International Trade and Transportation. Students enrolled in the program, implemented at a high school in Long Beach, CA, learn global logistics and supply chain management over the course of their high school career. The program culminates in a capstone project that is evaluated by industry leaders. This research project applies qualitative coding methods to find connections between the AGL curriculum and CA mathematics and science …

A Case Study Of A School-Supported Extracurricular Activity's Influence On Stem Identity And Interest For Females, Letta Meyer

Doctoral Dissertations

Even though there has been a narrowing of the gender gap in STEM, there is still a pronounced gap in the physical sciences, engineering, and computer science. Females who persist in these fields have a strong STEM identity, including developing specific STEM interests. Females can develop STEM identity through long-term, active involvement in extracurricular STEM programs. Extracurricular STEM programs significantly impact the persistence of females in the STEM pipeline. This case study examined the effect of Science Olympiad, an extracurricular STEM program, on current high school students and alumnae’s perceptions of their STEM identity and personal specific STEM interest. Potential …

Alleviating Mathematics Anxiety For Middle School Students Using A Combined Intervention Approach Versus Only Using The Cognitive Intervention Approach For Increasing Mathematical Achievement: A Comparative Study, Patricia Anna Garcia

Doctoral Dissertations

Current research has found evidence of effective interventions for mathematics anxiety, both motivational and cognitive interventions can affect learning through instructional design and increased student engagement. Thus, this study investigated whether a combined (cognitive and motivation) intervention approach was more effective than only using a cognitive intervention approach for alleviating mathematics anxiety in middle-school students in order to develop a positive mathematical self-concept. The design used in this study was a comparison pretest-posttest study using the modified Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale (mAMAS) to measure the participants’ level of mathematics anxiety and the STAR Mathematics diagnostic assessment to measure gradual mathematics …

“I’M Now Always Thinking About Math”: Exploring Mathematics Identities, Beliefs, And Lived Experiences Through Ypar, Maya A. Severns

Theses and Dissertations

This youth participatory action research (YPAR) study employing survey and case study design sought to explore and document the influence of YPAR participation on Black and Latine high school students’ perceptions of their mathematics identity development, what they learned about their peers’ and their own mathematics perceptions and lived experiences, and their recommendations for change in their own school and mathematics education in general. Eight high school participants were invited to engage in 12 YPAR study sessions that drew on the literature of mathematics identity, equity in mathematics education, and YPAR and were grounded in a theoretical framework including culturally …

Exploring The Path That Has Led To A Fragmented Curriculum, Driven By High Stakes Testing, Sidelining Science, Emily L. Flaherty

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

This paper explores the current state of science instruction in classrooms, particularly concerning the fragmented curriculum resulting from high-stakes testing and the subsequent side-lining of science education. The study examines the historical context, starting with the implementation of standardized tests such as MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) in 1998 and the subsequent impact of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. These reforms led to a punitive system for underachieving schools and a narrowing of instructional time for subjects other than math and English Language Arts (ELA). The focus on improving test scores resulted in limited time allocated for …

In Pursuit Of Failure: A Project-Based Learning Approach To Introducing Generative Failure Into High School Physics, Bradford O'Brien

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

It is important that students encounter and learn how to respond to failure in their high school experience. In traditional education systems, failure (for students and teachers) is often penalized in a way that stigmatizes failure and disincentivizes intellectual risk-taking. In my experience, as a high school physics teacher, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of the stigmatization of failure in the science classroom. Educators in the science classroom can use projects, lessons, and reimagined grading systems to cultivate a different mindset around failure for their students. As a conceptual physics teacher, I believe that my classroom should be a …

Enacting Inclusive Mathematics Teaching And Learning Using Biography Driven Instruction, Jessie C. Store

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

As schools become increasingly diverse, there is an increasing need for examples of classroom practices that create inclusive teaching and learning environments. Many research studies found that gaining knowledge of student home life and using it to bridge learning and home supports access and equity. Many scholars have called for exemplars of activities that connect students’ in-school and out-of-school cultural activities. This paper provides an example that may be used in teacher education and K–12 classrooms to bridge out-of-school and in-school activities. In this paper, we discuss the enactment of biography-driven instruction, specifically how cultural biographies can be used to …

The Connective Tissue Of Well-Developed Interests: A Case Study Of A Science Research Classroom, Deborah M. Brand

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine ways that long-term interests in high school students could be inspired and facilitated in educational contexts. In particular, it explored how a high school Science Research (SR) program cultivated belonging and supported autonomy in ways that inspired and promoted well-developed individual interests. This type of interest is characterized by an enduring desire to pursue learning out of an intellectual and emotional need to gain understanding; it drives behavior, motivation, and cognition toward particular activities and ideas. Classroom belonging is derived from this sense of connection and purpose a student feels from the …

Overview Of The Proceedings Of The 2022 Inclusion In Science, Learning A New Direction, Conference On Disability (Island), Cary A. Supalo, Jasodhara Bhattacharya, Daniel Steinberg

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

The 13th annual Inclusion in Science, Learning a New Direction, Conference on Disability was hosted by the Princeton Center for Complex Materials (PCCM), a National Science Foundation funded Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), and Princeton University on September 16-17, 2022 at Bowen Hall. This annual conference included presentations that featured innovative research done by science educators in formal and informal education contexts, ranging from pre-K-12 to higher education, and science education researchers, access technology developers, and others interested in the full inclusion of persons with disabilities into the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce. The 2022 ISLAND …

Out-Of-School Stem Program For Students With Visual Impairments: Adaptations And Outcomes During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sunggye Hong, Irene Topor, Jinseok Park, Tasnim A. Alshuli, Irene L. Topor

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Although previous research exists on making adaptations for students with visual impairments in online settings, there is limited research on the teaching and learning dynamics of students with visual impairments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since responses to the pandemic made it difficult for students with visual impairments to participate in educational opportunities that require hands-on experiences, gaps have been identified in gaining access to educational opportunities. The current project was originally planned with programs based on in-person modes, aimed at increasing motivation and awareness of science, technology, engineering, and math of students with visual impairments. Due to limitations of in-person …

From The Editors..., Todd Pagano

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Egg Drop Challenge, Admin Stem For Success

STEM for Success Resources

This interactive activity plan challenges students to build a container using limited materials that will protect a raw egg from a 4-6 foot drop.

Cooking With Chemistry: Marshmallows, Admin Stem For Success

STEM for Success Showcase

This lesson plan teaches students thermodynamics, foam, and other chemistry topics by cooking marshmallows.

How To Create 3rd - 5th Grade Activity Plans, Admin Stem For Success

STEM for Success Showcase

This flier provides elementary school teacher with a guide for how to create science activities and labs for their students.

Democratic Disagreements. A Book Review Of Lived Democracy In Education. Young Citizens’ Democratic Lives In Kindergarten, School And Higher Education, Sonja Helkala, Julia Jaakkola, Tuukka Tomperi

Democracy and Education

As the title Lived Democracy in Education suggests, the predominantly Norwegian writers of the book share a deep and robust vision of democracy. Drawing on deliberative democratic theory and many other theoretical perspectives, the authors blend theory, practice, and empirical case studies to illuminate these modes of “lived democracy” in educational contexts. In particular, the book’s chapters examine different communicative interactions between children and young people, presenting these as examples of learning to live with controversies in communities of disagreement. The book contains valuable perspectives on democratic discussion in education. As several authors are experts in mathematics and science education, …

Organizational Citizenship Behaviors, Self Efficacy, Job Satisfaction, And Organizational Commitment Of Science And Math Teachers In Alabama, Andrew N. Wood

Dissertations

This study investigated the correlations between occupational citizenship behaviors, self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment of math and science teachers. The purpose was to discern how these variables interacted to determine how best to support these teachers so they may be more likely to stay teaching in their organizations until retirement. The researcher surveyed math and science teachers within the State of Alabama. There were 314 math and science teachers who completed the survey instrument. Six hypotheses were evaluated to determine if all the variables had positive relationships with each other. From the correlation analysis, used for hypothesis testing, total …

Magnetic Resonance Image-Based Estimates Of Hepatic Blood Flow In Children With And Without Obesity; Implications For Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Models, Yoon Cho, Sherwin S. Chan, Chance S. Friesen, Valentina Shakhnovich

Research Days

Background: Physiologically based pharmacokinetic models for simulating drug pharmacokinetics are useful to guide drug dosing for pediatric patients. Hepatic blood flow could be a useful variable to use in these models.

Objectives/Goal: In this study, we explored 2-D phase contrast non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure hepatic blood flow in children with and without obesity.

Methods/Design: In this IRB-approved study, we imaged pediatric patients with abdominal MRI with 2D phase contrast imaging of the descending aorta (AO) at the diaphragm, the inferior vena cava (IVC) at the right atrium, and inferior to hepatic drainage above the renal vein confluence …

Persistent Pediatric Breast Abscesses Following Initial Treatment At Tertiary And Community Centers, Derek Marlor, Kayla Briggs-Groves, Shai Stewart Md, Nelimar Cruz-Centeno, Charlene Dekonenko, Jason D. Fraser

Research Days

Introduction: Little data exist on the management of pediatric breast abscesses that fail initial treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate and report outcomes in these patients.

Methods: All patients <18-years-old treated for a breast abscess between January 2008 and December 2018 were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: initial treatment at our institution (Group 1) and initial treatment at referring centers (Group 2). The primary outcome was disease persistence following treatment at our institution. Secondary outcomes included treatment modalities and patient characteristics.

Results: In total, 145 patients were identified: 111 in Group 1 and 34 in Group 2. Antibiotics alone were the initial treatment in 52.3% (n=58) of Group 1 patients and 64.7% (n=22) of Group 2 patients. Invasive treatment was more common in Group 1 (45.9% vs 5.8%; p<0.00001). Patients with persistent disease in Group 1 were treated with aspiration (n=7, 50%), I&D (n=5, 35.7%), antibiotics (n=1, 7.14%), and manual expression (n=1, 7.14%.), while Group 2 patients were treated with antibiotics (50%, n=17), aspiration (26.47%, n=9), I&D (17.65%, n=6), and manual expression (5.88%, n=2). Group 2 patients with persistent disease were more likely to be treated with antibiotics or a change in antibiotics (50% vs 7.14%; p=0.005). Following treatment at our institution, the rate of persistent disease was similar between groups (12.6% vs 11.8%).

Conclusions: Persistent breast abscesses may be treated with antibiotics in appropriate cases. Damage to the developing breast bud should be minimized. Disease …

How Students Investigate: Understanding Students’ Use Of Scientific Schemas In Open-Ended Labs, J. Alexander Wall

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

Schema provides a theoretical framework for understanding the nature of science, inquiry, and open-ended labs. These topics have been emphasized in the state standards, especially in high school sciences. In this study the researcher took field notes, collected lab write ups, and conducted focus group interviews to understand students’ use of schema related to open-ended labs. These data were analyzed with the constant comparative method to generate themes. The author describes the major findings with parallel narratives, one focused on a student’s confusion and the other focused on a student’s understanding. The author concludes by advocating for science teachers to …

Growth Mindset Intervention And Its Impact On Productive Struggle In The Eighth-Grade Mathematics Classroom, Jordy Wilson

Doctor of Education in Secondary and Middle Grades Education Dissertations

This study aims to seek means to increase student productive struggle while adhering to the strenuous performance demands by our school systems. This study examines connections between growth mindset interventions, attitude towards struggle, and productive struggle in the mathematics classroom. Growth mindset interventions have been shown to change mindsets and to help students become more willing to engage in challenging problems and deal with difficult situations and struggle. Productive struggle is the engagement with difficult problems with the understanding that breakthroughs occur from confusion and struggle and has been linked with students’ conceptual understanding in the mathematics classroom. It has …

Staar Preparation: How It Affects The Perceptions Of Third-Grade Students, Taylor Whitworth

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

Test preparation is a hot button topic in education today. Many studies have looked at students’ and teachers’ perceptions after the administration of the STAAR test. This study investigated third-grade students’ perceptions of the STAAR before and after previous-form test preparation interventions. The researcher used observations, surveys, and interviews to collect data. The data was analyzed using the constant comparative method and descriptive statistics. The author found five major themes that answered the two original research questions. Most students had negative perceptions of the STAAR test prior to intervention, and these often stemmed from information from family members. Overall, the …

Anxious Times Call For Additional Goal Setting Measures: A Look At How Math Anxiety Is Impacted By Setting Goals In An Algebra I Class, Raegan Palacio

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

This study examined the impact that goal setting would have on Algebra I students’ math anxiety by comparing a control group to a treatment group. Students took the Math Anxiety Survey (Godbey, 1997) as a pre- and post-assessment. The researcher taught a goal setting mini lesson at the beginning of the data collection period to the treatment group (Class B), and students set weekly goals for themselves in relation to Algebra I class. Students in Class B journaled weekly, and some students participated in focus groups depending on their levels of math anxiety. The qualitative data was analyzed using the …