Education Commons^™

Improving Education Of Mathematics Majors, Goran Lesaja

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

In this talk we will explore and discuss different ways of improving instruction of upper level mathematics classes. Several case studies will be presented, including in Calculus and Operations Research courses. We will also discuss the importance of extracurricular activities in education of mathematics majors. In particular, we will describe activities related to undergraduate mathematics competitions.

Preparing Middle Grades Teachers To Use Drawn Models For Developing Arithmetic With Rational Numbers, Andrew Izsak, Erik Jacobson

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

We will report on-going efforts to design a research-based content and methods course for future middle grades teachers focused on numbers and operations. A main theme of the course is to solve problems using drawn models and to develop general numeric methods. Attendees will work on activities used in the course that elicit difficulties future teachers experience with this content.

Climate & Chemistry- An Introductory Course For First Year Students, Catrena Lisse, Chavonda Mills, Julia Metzker

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

Students will be able to:

• explain multiple approaches that respond to problems in chemistry

• implement effective search strategies and evaluate sources of chemical information for relevance and authority.

• explain and analyze scientific evidence.

• form logical conclusions from the chemical information presented.

• understand the chemical properties of atoms, molecules, ions and gases.

• understand the chemical principles of stoichiometry, reactions in solutions, thermochemistry, atomic structure, periodicity and bonding.

• construct strategies to solve problems with integrated concepts and evaluate solutions

Stem Enhancement Programs: The National Context, Nathan Moon, Paul Baker, Braeden Benson

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

We present findings from a review of the scholarly literature and Web survey that were undertaken to develop a catalogue of STEM enhancement programs. Our research revealed that 42 states have developed such programs, 30 of which focus specifically on P-16 STEM education. This session will discuss our findings and report on other programs comparable to the USG STEM Initiative.

Using The Sunspotter In The Stem Curriculum, Richard Schmude

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

Attendees will be introduced to the Sunspotter in this workshop. This is a device that projects an image of the Sun safely. Attendees can expect to learn how to incorporate this instrument into their classroom.

Stem Ii Initiative-Updates From Participating Institutions (Part 1), Nathan Moon, Tim Howard, Kim Shaw, Rosalie Richards, Judy Awong-Taylor

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

STEM II Initiative – Updates from Participating Institutions (Part 1) is made up of a series of “sampler sessions” so that interested individuals can get an overview but not comprehensive coverage. Dr. Nathan Moon will introduce this session by telling a few important lessons gleaned from the STEM I evaluations. Second, Dr. Tim Howard will talk about the STEM II Initiative at Columbus State. Third, Dr. Judy Awong-Taylor will provide information concerning the STEM II Initiative at Georgia Gwinnett College. Fourth, Dr. Rosalie Richards will discuss what is happening with the STEM II Initiative at Georgia College & State University.

A Medley Of Successful Active-Learning Methods, Sarah Formica

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

This workshop will present a medley of active-learning methods that have been implemented successfully in both introductory and upper-level physics courses. The participants will engage in methods that include Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT), clicker questions, whiteboard activities, and virtual experiments. The workshop will be designed very much like a class that employs these methods, with a pre-workshop online assignment that is due “Just in Time” before the workshop, and whiteboard activities and clicker questions associated with the active-learning methods. The participants will work in teams to develop some JiTT assignments, clicker questions, and whiteboard activities that they could use in their …

Methodology And/Or Technology: Making Difference In Improving Students' Problem Solving Skills, Zdeslav Hrepic, Katherine Lodder, Kimberly Shaw

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

Wirelessly networked, in-class computing opens a wide array of possibilities for active instructional methodologies (Hrepic, Rebello, & Zollman, 2009). Earlier studies showed a substantial potential that the pen input computers combined with interactive software like DyKnow (www.dyknow.com) may have in facilitating students’ problem solving ability. The session has two goals. The first one is to demonstrate the instructor-student classroom interaction dynamics enabled or facilitated by DyKnow software and pen-input computers. The second one is to present selected research findings associated with student learning while using this technology. The most recent of our studies was to isolate the effect of the …

A Medley Of Successful Active-Learning Methods, Sarah Formica

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

This workshop will present a medley of active-learning methods that have been implemented successfully in physics courses. The participants will engage in methods that include Just-in-Time Teaching, clicker questions, whiteboard activities, and virtual experiments. The workshop goal is to show how these active-learning methods can be applied in a STEM classroom to increase students’ conceptual understanding and problem solving skills.

Building Transformative Leaders In Stem Education, Julia Metzker, Karynne Kleine, Laurie Huffman

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

Representatives from Georgia College will use their experiences as members of the Innovative Course-building Group, a structured collaboration across departments and disciplines, to stimulate a discussion with attendees about building strong faculty leaders capable of making the important structural changes needed to address curriculum issues in the STEM fields. Our goal is that you will leave this roundtable with an action plan for engaging STEM faculty at your institution.