Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Utilizing Centers To Enhance My Instruction And Students' Understanding Of Math Concepts, Samantha Rowelle Darden

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Anyone who listens to the news hears many negative comments on the status of education in the United States today. Many say that our standards and the quality of our education have declined. We have fallen behind European and Asian countries. Our requirements and expectations have been lowered. Yet, we have never stepped back to assess what has changed and why. If we had to point to one detail to provide insight into what has changed, we would name the internet. We would call the technology explosion in the 21st century a “singularity”; an event that changes things so fundamentally …

Selecting Effective Mathematics Interventions In The Rti Process Via Brief Experimental Analyses, Carmen Daniela Reisener

Dissertations

The treatment utility of brief experimental analyses (BEAs) for identifying effective treatments for individual students experiencing mathematics difficulties is a novel area of research; especially in a Response-to-intervention (Rtl) framework. One fourth and three sixth grade students served as participants in the current study. The effects of a variety of evidence-based mathematics computation fluency interventions were examined in a BEA format. Effective treatments identified from the BEA for each participant were alternated during an extended analysis. The results of the current investigation indicated variability within and across participants in response to a variety of evidence-based interventions. Visual analysis of the …

Fan Cohomology And Equivariant Chow Rings Of Toric Varieties, Mu-Wan Huang

Department of Mathematics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Toric varieties are varieties equipped with a torus action and constructed from cones and fans. In the joint work with Suanne Au and Mark E. Walker, we prove that the equivariant K-theory of an affine toric variety constructed from a cone can be identified with a group ring determined by the cone. When a toric variety X(Δ) is smooth, we interpret equivariant K-groups as presheaves on the associated fan space Δ. Relating the sheaf cohomology groups to equivariant K-groups via a spectral sequence, we provide another proof of a theorem of Vezzosi and Vistoli: equivariant K …

Integration Of The Bscs 5e Instructional Method And Technology In An Anatomy And Physiology Lab, Tamilselvi Gopal

Dissertations

This research provides an understanding of how the 5E instructional method combined with educational technology tools can be used in teaching undergraduate college level anatomy and physiology laboratory classes. The 5E instructional model is the exemplary instructional model in teaching biology for high school students. The phases in the 5E learning cycle are Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. In every step of the learning cycle, the researcher used appropriate technology tools to enhance the teaching and learning processes. The researcher used the Dynamic Instructional Design model to identify the appropriate technology tools for instruction. The topics selected for modification …

Increasing Student Motivation To Become A Successful Industrial Engineer, Danielle Lanigan

All Theses

This paper explores the use of the VIE theory of Motivation in the field of Industrial Engineering Education. This work focuses on two different populations of students, college students who have chosen Industrial Engineering as a major and middle school students with a predisposition toward engineering. To start, we used a mixed methods sequential explanatory study to learn more about Clemson University department of Industrial Engineering students. Quantitatively, the study found that differences exist among different subsets of Industrial Engineering students. Female students have a higher motivation than male students do, and students with university sponsored project experience have a …

Supply, Demand And Approaches To Employment By People With Postgraduate Research Qualifications In Science And Mathematics: Literature Review And Data Analysis, Daniel Edwards, T Fred Smith

Dr Daniel Edwards

This report is the first in a project that investigates the demand for and supply of people with science and mathematics postgraduate qualifications in Australia. This report is divided into two main parts: a literature review and a data analysis. The report uses numerous national data sets to present a picture of the supply, demand and employment dynamics of postgraduates in the natural and physical sciences in Australia. The figures indicate an increasing number of postgraduates are completing studies in these fields. However, compared with other fields of education, supply in the natural and physical sciences is increasing at a …

Creating A Math Wall In An Elementary School, Lindsey Moorhouse

All Graduate Projects

Creating a Math Data Wall in an elementary school is a way to track students' progress in mathematics, guide instruction and provide strategic interventions to students who are at risk. A Math Data Wall is a visual representation of the students' progress across grade levels. Assessments have been used in schools for many years. Assessments are used to provide a variety of information to the teacher, school and district. Using assessments in the classroom is a necessary step to track students' progress and guide teacher instruction. A Math Data Wall will give teachers a visual representation of their students' progress …

Mathematical Communication Through Written And Oral Expression, Brandee Wilson

Action Research Projects

In this action research study of my classroom of sixth grade mathematics, I investigated the use of communication of mathematics through both written and oral expression. Giving my students the opportunity to communicate mathematics both in writing and orally helped to deepen the students’ understanding of mathematics. The students’ levels of comprehension were increased when they were presented with a variety of instructional methods. Through discussion and reflection the students were able to find methods that worked best for them and their learning ability. Students’ understanding increased from probing questions that made the students reflect and re-evaluate their solutions. This …

Written Communication In A Sixth-Grade Mathematics Classroom, Mary Schneider

Action Research Projects

In this action research study of my sixth grade mathematics classroom, I investigated what happened to students’ mathematical achievement when they had increased practice on written explanations to problems. I wanted to see if writing out solutions to problems helped them overall in daily mathematics. By using specific mathematic vocabulary more frequently and deliberately during my instruction, I wanted to investigate whether students would correctly use specific math vocabulary in their written explanations. I also increased my expectations of the students’ written explanations throughout the research project. I wanted to determine whether students would try to meet or even exceed …

Reviewing, Rethinking And Revising Homework Expectations In A Seventh Grade Math Class, Marilyn Hein

Departament of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Summative Projects

In this action research study of my seventh grade mathematics class, I investigated whether de-emphasizing homework assignments as daily grades while stressing them as daily practice encouraged students to focus more on the learning rather than the daily grade. As part of this study, I also looked at how this change in homework expectations affected my daily teaching. I discovered that having students keep notes, examples, practice problems and homework assignments in a notebook helped them concentrate more on the process of getting answers and why they may of had an incorrect answer. Students were more likely to discuss with …

Problems With Problem Solving: Assessing Written Solutions Of Mathematical Habits Of Mind Problems, Ali Arndt

Departament of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Summative Projects

This paper explores a study of sixth grade mathematics students in a middle school setting. I investigated the effects of assigning Habits of Mind problems related to the curriculum, district standards and objectives to increase problem-solving opportunities and skills. I discovered integrating problem solving into the given curriculum allowed students to make connections to math in an opportune way that evoked communication on paper, interactions with partners or small groups, and presentations of solutions to the large group. Using the challenging Habits of Mind problems deliberately chosen to match specific content objectives within my district at the sixth grade level …

Sudoku, Marlene Grayer

Department of Mathematics: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Exam Expository Papers

Many people have a magazine, a crossword puzzle, a newspaper, or a book on hand to fill idle time. I, however, prefer to tease my mind with a book of Sudoku puzzles (pronounced sue‐dah‐coup), trying to figure out what number goes where while resisting the temptation to peek in the back at the answer to make sure I am on the right track. For those of you who are unaware of what Sudoku is, it is a highly popular number game whose notoriety may even surpass the crossword or word search puzzles. It can be found in popular newspapers such …

Sicherman Dice, Scott Johnsen

Department of Mathematics: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Exam Expository Papers

Many different types of games involve the use of numbered dice. The most common type of die used is the standard six-sided die with the numbers one through six used on its six sides. What if there was another way of numbering a set of dice (using only positive integers) that would create the same probability outcomes as those of a standard set of dice? The February 1978 issue of Scientific American reports that George Sicherman discovered such a numbering (Broline, 1979). Sicherman discovered that two cubic die numbered 1-2-2-3-3-4 and 1-3-4-5-6-8 have the same sum probabilities as do the …

Amicable Pairs, Lexi Wichelt

Department of Mathematics: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Exam Expository Papers

The ancient Greeks are often credited with making many new discoveries in the area of mathematics. Euclid, Aristotle, and Pythagoras are three such famous Greek mathematicians. One of their discoveries was the idea of an amicable pair. An Amicable pair is a pair of two whole numbers, each of which is the sum of the proper whole number divisors of the other.

Forgetting To Remember: Formative Assessment In Sixth Grade Mathematics Classroom, Corie Lubash

Departament of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Summative Projects

In this action research study of a sixth grade mathematics classroom, I investigated what would happen to the students’ understanding of mathematical concepts and what student learning would look like when multiple formative assessments were implemented and descriptive feedback was given by the teacher. I also examined how my own teaching would be affected when I utilized descriptive feedback on formative assessments in attempts to decrease the number of retakes needed on summative assessments. I discovered that my students were better prepared for summative assessments when multiple formative assessments were implemented and when I utilized information from the formative assessments …

Constructed Response Answers In A Multiple-Choice Universe, Carl W. David

Chemistry Education Materials

A scheme is introduced which allows computer readable multiple choice forms used in traditional examinations to be employed for constructed response items.

Grades 3-5 Pollution, Amy Silviotti

Science

This is a science lesson for grades third through five on pollution. Through this lesson students will be able to describe the relationships among air, water, land on Earth, characteristics of living and non living things, survival behaviors of common living specimens, the factors that help promote good health. Students will also be able to identify how plants and animals depend on each other and in what ways humans have changed the environment. The lesson is tiered in three levels based on ability. Within each tier the student will complete a shape contract where they choose tasks based on interest …

Algebra In The Fifth Grade Mathematics Program, Kathy Bohac

Action Research Projects

In this action research study of my classroom of fifth grade students, I investigated the incorporation of more algebraic concepts in their mathematics curriculum. Due to the restructuring of mathematics courses at the secondary level, my district has suggested that more algebraic concepts be included in the intermediate elementary mathematics curriculum. I discovered that the fifth grade students were not only capable of, but also enjoyed solving algebra equations. As a result of this research, I plan to continue to use the Hands On Equations program each year to enhance the current mathematics curriculum and to improve the fifth graders‟ …

Improving Achievement And Attitude Through Cooperative Learning In Math Class, Scott Johnsen

Action Research Projects

In this action research study of my classroom of eighth grade mathematics, I investigated the use of cooperative learning groups and whether working in groups changed students’ individual achievement and students’ attitudes toward mathematics. I used my eighth grade class of 13 students along with two different types of group formations: teacher-formed groups and student-formed groups. I discovered that the type of group formation can have an impact on the attitudes of students and how well they work together. I also discovered that there was no real change in students’ achievement, but the longer the group worked together the better …

Oral And Written Communication In Classroom Mathematics, Lindsey Sample

Action Research Projects

In this action research study of my classroom of sixth grade mathematics, I investigated the impact of an increase in student oral and written communication on student level of understanding and student self-confidence. I also investigated the changes in my teaching as I increased opportunities for student oral and written communication of mathematics. While I discovered that student level of understanding was not necessarily increased if written communications were increased, I did find that there seemed to be a rise in student level of self-confidence and understanding throughout the course of the research project due to an increase in oral …

Communication: A Vital Skill Of Mathematics, Lexi Wichelt

Action Research Projects

In this action research study of my classroom of seventh grade mathematics, I investigated the impact of communication in the classroom. I focused on asking more open-ended questions in the hopes that students would engage in mathematical discourse with a focus on correctly using mathematical vocabulary. I also looked at the level of students’ understanding and achievement in mathematics class and the accuracy of students’ assessments of their own understanding when there is a focus on asking and answering open-ended questions. I discovered that students had a better understanding of vocabulary when they were asked more open-ended questions. I also …

The Effect Of Prior Knowledge In Undergraduate Performance In Chemistry: A Correlation – Prediction Study, Michael K. Seery

Theses

No abstract provided.

The Challenge: Magazine Of The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 23, Summer 2009), Center For Gifted Studies, Tracy Inman Editor

Gifted Studies Publications

No abstract provided.

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V05n2, Summer 2009, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Message from the Executive Director

--IJAS Students Speak with NASA Scientists

--Geological Society of Iowa Field Trips

--Announcements, Events & Deadlines

--2009 IJAS Annual Meeting Winners

--2009 IAS Speaker Series at the Saylorville Visitor Center

--Remembering Dr. Thomas Huston Macbride

--Iowa Science Teaching Section Fall Conference

--Project WET

Palindromes, Stephanie Fuehrer

Department of Mathematics: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Exam Expository Papers

A palindrome is a word or phrase that reads the same forward and backward, such as the word “level” and the phrase “Madam, I’m Adam.” Numbers whose digits read the same forward and backward are also called palindromes, such as the numbers 22, 1234321, and 2002. Palindromic phrases can also occur in number form, for example the Universal day of Symmetry: 8:02 P.M. on February 20, 2002. If one were to look at the time on a twenty-four hour clock, it would read 20:02; the date can be read as the twentieth day of the second month, which also represents …

The Monty Hall Problem, Brian Johnson

Department of Mathematics: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Exam Expository Papers

In the game show "Let's Make a Deal", host Monty Hall would present a contestant with three doors. Behind one door is a car and behind the other two doors are goats. The contestant picks one door, after which Monty opens one of the other doors, showing a goat. Monty then offers the contestant the opportunity to keep the same door or switch to the other unopened door; the contestant will get to keep whatever is behind that door. Should the contestant switch?

Powers, Marci Ostmeyer

Department of Mathematics: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Exam Expository Papers

Powers, or exponents, give us a convenient, shorthand way to denote that a number is multiplied by itself a given number of times. The number being multiplied is called the base, and the number of times it appears in the product is the power.

Project Based Instruction In A Sixth Grade Mathematics Classroom: A Case Of Roller Coasters, Lori L. Pierce

Departament of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Summative Projects

In this action research study of a sixth grade mathematics classroom, I investigated how using project based instruction combined with collaborative learning influenced students’ attitudes and beliefs in learning mathematics. I discovered that using a project based approach to instruction helped the students see connections to math and the real world. They felt that math became something exciting instead of just lessons from a book. I also found that most students preferred to work in small groups because they had come to count on their peers for support. They felt that they were more comfortable asking their peers questions in …

Creating Meaningful Homework And Implementing Homework Presentations To Aid In Mathematics Instruction, Gretchen Long

Departament of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Summative Projects

In this action research study of sixth grade mathematics, I investigated the use of meaningful homework and the implementation of presentations and its effect on students’ comprehension of mathematical concepts. I collected data to determine whether the creating of meaningful homework and the implementation of homework presentations would have a positive impact on the students’ understanding of the concepts being taught in class and the reasoning behind assigning homework. The homework was based on the lesson taught during class time. It was grade-level appropriate and contained problems similar to those students completed in class. A pre-research and post-research survey based …

Improving Problem Solving By Improving Reading Skills, Shayne Hite

Departament of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Master's of Arts in Teaching, Summative Projects

In this study of my fifth grade mathematics class, I investigated how the use of different reading strategies impacted my students’ problem solving. I implemented various reading strategies throughout a three-month time period. Teaching my students to break down story problems, learn the steps in solving them, write their own story problems, create math dictionaries, write story problem webs, and listen to themselves reading problems created more confidence in them and increased the likelihood that they would use these strategies on their own. In this research, it was quite obvious to me through some pre-testing that my students struggled with …