Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Elementary School Library Program Integration With Art, Literacy, And Steam Through Makerspaces, Kristi Baldwin

Graduate Research Papers

Note: This study refers to three co-researchers who each collected data in their respective schools and collaborated in reviewing that data, but each separately authored a paper using that data; the co-researchers are Sara Pflughaupt and Lisa Tegels.

The purpose of this mixed methods case study was to find out how makerspace use might influence an inquiry-based focus in student learning through the use of design thinking. The researchers were interested in how makerspaces support the National School Library Standards and local school district goals. This study investigated literacy, critical thinking, and inquiry-based processes that might justify having a makerspace …

Three Cases Of Makerspace Integration In School Library Programs In Conjunction With District Initiatives: Steam, Design Thinking, And Literacy, Lisa Tegels

Graduate Research Papers

Note: This study refers to three co-researchers who each collected data in their respective schools and collaborated in reviewing that data, but each separately authored a paper using that data; the co-researchers are Kris Baldwin and Sara Pflughaupt.

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine whether makerspace or STEAM activities can support inquiry learning and meet specific American Association of School Library (AASL), Next Generation Science (NGSS) and Common Core Literacy (CCSS ELA) Standards. For purposes of this study, the three co-researchers were also focused on how this type of learning activity can support district initiatives in …

Seeing The Forest For The Trees: Elementary Stem Environments That Nurture Creativity And Innovation, Lisa Jo Chizek

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study examined creativity in schools through the lens of nine rural Midwestern public school fifth grade students in a student-centered, inquiry-based science classroom within a STEM Framework. Previous literature suggesting the importance of nurturing creativity in schools (Florida, 2004; Executive Office of the President, 2018; K. H. Kim, 2016; Csikszentmihalyi, 1999) inspired the purpose for this dissertation. What is missing is the perspective of creative youth. Phenomenology as a research method is a “systematic attempt to uncover and describe the structures, the internal meaning structures, of lived experiences” (van Manen, 2016, p. 10). Through student voices, this qualitative study …

Steam Implementations For Elementary School Students In Turkey, Nil Duban, Bülent Aydoğdu, Selçuk Kolsuz

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

The main aim of the current research was to fill the absence of STEAM activities for primary school students in Turkey. Accordingly, a study in which STEAM activities were implemented was conducted with the primary school students. There were four activities during STEAM implementation. The activities were these: Students recognized circuit components of simple electric circuits, designed simple electric circuits using circuit components by the guidance of researchers, later designed an ecological village via STEAM using simple electric circuits, and presented their ecological village via STEAM. A quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group design was used in the current …

Using The Growth Mindset To Improve Opportunities For Negotiation In Argument-Based Inquiry Elementary Classrooms, Bridget Tharp

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if teaching students about the growth mindset improves achievement on standardized science assessment in a classroom that uses argument-based inquiry (ABI) instruction. A critical part of ABI is also referred to as negotiation and is considered cognitively demanding for students. The demands of argumentation often make its implementation extremely challenging for teachers because students often do not have strategies to overcome the failure they will encounter during the process. ABI is a research-based instructional practice that has been shown to improve student learning in science. This study will look at specific aspects …

The Value Of Inquiry-Based Science Instruction For Elementary Students, Jessica Renae Enger

Graduate Research Papers

This review examined the academic benefits of using inquiry-based science instruction in elementary classrooms. It also examined different ways teachers integrate inquiry-based instruction. Several studies identified increases in science content knowledge, concepts, and process skills as outcomes associated with inquiry-based instruction. Other studies in this review showed mixed or negative results for academic benefits of inquiry-instruction. This review also highlights hands-on investigations, discourse, and literacy as three ways teachers integrate inquiry. Findings of this review suggest inquiry-based instruction allows students to understand difficult science concepts, justify their ideas, and can create positive attitudes toward science.

Invention Through Form And Function Analogy, Audrey C. Rule

Faculty Book Gallery

Invention through Form and Function Analogy is an invention book for teachers and other leaders working with youth who are involving students in the invention process. The book consists of an introduction and set of nine learning cycle formatted lessons for teaching the principles of invention through the science and engineering design principles of form and function. An appendix contains sets of color, illustrated cards to be printed onto cardstock paper and used for sorting and sequencing activities during the lessons. This set of lessons has been field-tested with elementary and middle school students by teachers and was improved through …

The Effects Of On-Line Math Games And E-Books Use On Elementary Student Achievement, Mel Carnahan

Graduate Research Papers

Game-based learning and the use of e-books is becoming increasingly more supported in classrooms as methods of increasing both student engagement and student achievement in all curricular areas. The purpose of this literature review is to examine current research on the effects of online math games and e-books on elementary student engagement and academic achievement. Over thirty peer-reviewed journal articles published in the last ten years are critically reviewed and analyzed. The findings show that online game-based learning and e-books can be effective tools within the confines of the elementary classroom, as long as careful consideration is given to student …

The Effect Of Learning Styles And Attitude On Preservice Elementary Teachers' Conceptual Understanding Of Chemistry And The Nature Of Matter In A Simulation-Based Learning Environment, Mo H. Al-Jaroudi

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This causal-comparative descriptive study investigated the achievement of pre-service elementary teachers taking an introductory physical science course that integrates inquiry-based instruction with computer simulations. The study was intended to explore if pre-service elementary teachers with different attitudes towards science as well as students with different learning styles would benefit differentially. Four research questions including four hypotheses were developed. The first major question consist of four specific hypothesis that addressed preservice elementary teachers' learning styles (Active/Reflective, Sensing/Intuitive, Visual/Verbal, and Sequential/Global) and their conceptual understanding of chemistry and the particulate nature of matter in a science class which use hands-on learning integrated …

Three Authentic Curriculum-Integration Approaches To Bird Adaptations That Incorporate Technology And Thinking Skills, Audrey C. Rule, M. T. Barrera Iii

Open Educational Resources

Integration of subject areas with technology and thinking skills is a way to help teachers cope with today’s overloaded curriculum and to help students see the connectedness of different curriculum areas. This study compares three authentic approaches to teaching a science unit on bird adaptations for habitat that integrate thinking skills and technology skills: a problem-based learning approach utilizing the CoRT Breadth thinking skills (de Bono, 2000); a thematic approach integrating several subject areas using Talents Unlimited thinking skills (Schlichter & Palmer, 1993); and a process skill-focused approach using object boxes (Rule, Barrera, & Stewart, 2004). Three third grade classes …

Vocabulary Development Through Math Journaling Using Technology Resources In An Elementary Math Classroom, Debbie Hansel

Graduate Research Papers

An action research study was conducted in a second grade classroom in a nonpublic elementary school with student seven-to-eight years of age. The purpose of the research was to determine if the use of computer-based content journaling leads to a better understanding of the mathematical vocabulary being focused on and to establish if the use of computer-based reflective journal entries has a positive impact on the students' attitude toward mathematics.

The comparison of scores from the pre-assessment and post-assessment of vocabulary knowledge demonstrated an increase in accuracy. Journaling helped students arrive at the generalization relating the size of what is …

The Impact Of The Iowa Children's Water Festival On The Children's Attitudes And Behaviors Toward The Environment, Sang-Min Kim

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

As a result of the growing concern about environmental issues, many countries have developed mechanisms and regulations directed at protection and conservation of the environment. As a part of this movement, many governmental and nongovernmental organizations (NGO) have launched a variety of environmental education programs, in an attempt to promote awareness of environmental issues. The Iowa Children’s Water Festival (ICWF) is an annual half-day environmental education program in Iowa. The goal of the ICWF is to provide educational opportunities throughout the state to K-5 children and to educate customers of tomorrow on the importance of safe, reliable drinking water (ICWF, …

Integrating Technology To Facilitate Math Instruction In The Elementary Classroom, Terri Schmidt

Graduate Research Papers

Integrating technology throughout the elementary curriculum is a topic that concerns educators. This paper informs educators as to why they should explore the implementation of technology into the math curriculum in the elementary classroom. This paper discusses brain-based learning, how to use brain-based learning techniques as well as the computer to integrate math and the benefits of using the computer in the math classroom throughout the day in the elementary classroom.

Writing In A Second Grade Math Class, Tammy Bakken

Graduate Research Papers

Writing in math has given me a much better benchmark-driven curriculum. I know more clearly how to help students accomplish math benchmarks. I used to have a separate time for the students in my classroom to write and a separate time for my students to do math. Nearly two years ago, I had the idea of writing in math. I read what other teachers had tried and I tried to include more writing in math. The results have confirmed my belief that writing in math is a worthwhile practice. Writing in math gave my students a greater understanding of math. …

An Overview Of The Nature Of Science For K-12 Science Teachers, William J. Soesbe Iii

Graduate Research Papers

Recent publicity has emphasized the concern of American citizens over student performance in the sciences. In an effort to evaluate one aspect of kindergarten through twelfth grade curricula that may have contributed to this situation, a comprehensive review of the literature concerning the nature of science was developed into a philosophical paper. The findings are synthesized into an analysis of the nature of science that provides a broad outline of the subject and related issues. The nature of science is a way of knowing that when balanced with scientific content and processes aids in the development of scientific literacy. Nonetheless, …

Two Current Approaches To Science In Early Education : The Physical-Knowledge Approach By Kamii And Devries And The Science Education Approach By Diane Dodge, Seon Chun

Graduate Research Papers

The primary focus of this paper is to review the characteristics of two science approaches to teaching science to children: the physical-knowledge approach by Kamii and De Vries, and the science education approach by Diane Dodge. Similarities and differences between the two approaches are analyzed. The conclusion of this study found that both approaches emphasize children's active role in learning. However, Kamii and DeVries's physical-knowledge approach emphasizes children's logical reasoning development, while Dodge's science education approach places greater emphasis on content and scientific knowledge.

Crystal Shape Bingo: A Bingo Game For Teaching Recognition Of Three-Dimensional Crystal Shapes And Planar Geometric Shapes Of Crystal Faces, Audrey C. Rule

Open Educational Resources

This document describes a game that provides students with practice in recognizing three dimensional crystal shapes and planar geometric shapes of crystal faces. It contains information on the objective of the game, game preparation, and rules for playing. Play cards are included (four to a page).

Wolf Bingo: A Bingo Game For Teaching Concepts And Vocabulary Associated With Wolves, Audrey C. Rule

Open Educational Resources

This document describes a game that provides students with practice in learning vocabulary and concepts associated with wolves. Directions for play and play cards (four to a page) are included.

Elefantastic Bingo: A Bingo Game For Teaching Science Concepts And Vocabulary Associated With Elephants, Audrey C. Rule

Open Educational Resources

This game allows students to learn new science vocabulary and relevant facts about elephants. This bingo game is a valuable curriculum resource for any teacher who is teaching about elephants or other endangered animals. Directions for play, calling cards (six to a page), and play cards (four to a page), are included.

Math Problem Solving In The Classroom, Mary Jane Conrad

Graduate Research Papers

This paper describes the important aspects for teaching problem solving in mathematics. Problem solving was used to introduce the concepts as well as to practice them. This research paper discusses mathematical concepts and skills in a student-centered environment of a multi-aged first and second grade classroom in a parochial school and investigates the effects of the approach on students, teacher, and curriculum.

In many primary classrooms mathematics is taught in ways that fail to connect with young children's prior knowledge and ways of learning. The cumulative effect is such that students tend to do math procedures, rather than apply math …

Science In A Constructivist Classroom: Progress In A Five-Year-Old Child's Reasoning About Water Dynamics, Hyang-Lim Kwak

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the study is to understand changes in a target child’s reasoning about water dynamics, specifically, draining and movement of water in tubes. The study also focuses on development and evaluation of activities and teaching strategies. The activities were conducted with all children in the preschool at a public elementary school in Iowa as part of the regular classroom constructivist program inspired by Piaget’s work. Using Piaget’s theory to provide insights into the child’s reasoning and knowledge, analysis focused on the child’s construction of regularities between his actions and reactions of water, and on the construction of relationships …