Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

An Automated Diagnostic Test And Tutorial Package For Basic Skills Of Mathematics In Post Secondary Vocational Education Of Kentucky: Construction And Validation, Odell D. Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to determine characteristics of entering vocational students in Kentucky Area/State vocational schools and to develop a computerized diagnostic instrument and tutorial package for assisting students in the mastery of necessary basic skills in mathematics. After specific math skills were identified in which proficiency is required of vocational education students, item pools were constructed for each skill. The skill item pools were validated using approximately 500 public school students throughout the grades of four through eight in public schools of Harlan County, Kentucky, Lee County, Virginia, and Washington County, Tennessee. The items within each …

Finest Science Not Always Found In The Fanciest American Universities, David E. Drew

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

Recent controversies about federal science funds for university research have become highly visible-and acrimonious. Debate about who should get support and why, long the province of a carefully developed system of peer, or merit, review, have been the subject of special task-force reports, congressional hearings and cover stories.

Teaching With A Humanist, David Meredith

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

This paper is a report about a team-taught course at San Francisco State University, and what the author learned having taught it over 11 years with faculty in the humanities. As part of an interdisciplinary curriculum called NEXA, which explored the boundaries between science and the humanities, the course revealed to the author several ways mathematics and humanities pedagogies can reciprocally learn from each other and emphasize similar goals.

Patterns Of Emotion Within Mathematics Problem-Solving, Frances A. Rosamond

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

There is often a divide between the experience of positive emotions toward math on the part of mathematical educators and negative emotions toward math on the part of students. This paper utilizes psychologist Richard Lazarus's work on the effects of positive emotions in order to highlight their benefits for mathematical pedagogy, to explain the author's experiment applying Lazarus's theory, and to suggest ways this application might support and foster positive emotions in students.

Gresham's Law: Algorithm Drives Out Thought, Sherman K. Stein

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

Gresham's law in economics states, "Bad money drives good money out of circulation." An application of this law in mathematical pedagogy states that "Algorithm drives out thought." While universities are ideally places where classes are meant to develop students' independence and critical thinking skills, often mathematics courses reflect this altered version of Gresham's law. This paper demonstrates the ways traditional mathematical pedagogy has held up Gresham's law and presents several suggestions for ways to change this approach to mathematical education to focus more on critical thinking without sacrificing the necessity of algorithm.

Applied Mathematics As Social Contract, Philip J. Davis

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

The author takes the position that mathematical education must redefine its goals so as to create a citizenry with sufficient knowledge to provide social backpressure on future mathematizations. This can be accomplished by increasing the part of mathematical education that is devoted to the description and interpretation of the processes of mathematization and by allowing the technicalities of the formal operations within mathematics itself to be deemphasized or automated out by computer.

The I.A.S Bulletin, V21n1, June 1987, Iowa Academy Of Science

IAS Bulletin

In this issue:

--- A Note from the Editor
--- Annual Meeting Address by Paul Walte
--- Lenore Durkee Assumes Presidency
--- Iowa Science Foundation Grants Awarded 1987-88
--- Iowa Academy of Science Recognizes Outstanding Science Students
--- 1986-87 Committee Reports
--- Membership Facts

Riesz Spaces And Their Applications In Economics, Calvin E. Piston

ACMS Conference Proceedings 1987

We will examine an economic model of pure exchange and some results concerning different notions of equilibrium. In particular, we will focus on the role played by the theory of Riesz space.

Logic And Proof For Mathematics: A Twentieth Century Perspective, Calvin Jongsma

ACMS Conference Proceedings 1987

This talk reports on the author's experience in teaching college mathematics students the basics of logic and proof in preparation for their transitioning to upper-level proof-based mathematics courses, following that up with a philosophical and historical analysis of mathematicians' attitudes toward such a project going back to nineteenth- and twentieth-century developments in logic and foundations (De Morgan, Boole, Frege, Russell, and Hilbert). The natural deduction approach to logic and inference developed in the mid-twentieth century by Jaskowski and Fitch is recommended as a much better focused approach for learning how to do proofs in mathematics. This idea is systematically developed …

Mathematical Reflections: Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants, Karl J. Smith

ACMS Conference Proceedings 1987

The layperson's response to mathematics is often that of desperation. When we tell people our occupation, do we more often than not hear about their unpleasant experiences with mathematics. They often tell us, "I studied algebra in high school and haven't used it since!" Indeed, that may be true. However, we can reply, "How many times has algebra been used on you?" We are all restricted, and protected, by the formulas of mathematics. In the mysterious metaphors we have agreed to cal mathematics, all creation is involved, from the symbol-happy logician down to the cunning geometers, the bees. When I …

Observations On Mathematics And The Christian Faith, W. David Laverell, Carl J. Sinke

ACMS Conference Proceedings 1987

There is little doubt that mathematicians are becoming more concerned with the foundations on which their discipline rests, the meaning of their work, and the philosophical stance implicit in what they do. This concern is prompted by serious questions which have been raised in recent years, questions dealing with the nature of mathematical truth, the nature of proof, certainty (or lack thereof) in mathematics, and the relationship of mathematics to the physical world. This has been particularly true for those of us involved in teaching since it is apparent that good mathematics education cannot ignore these issures.

Variations On A Theme, Robert Creighton Buck

ACMS Conference Proceedings 1987

An autobiographical narration by Robert Creighton Buck, detailing his experiences in the field of mathematics, and the various questions and themes reoccurring in the mathematical sciences.

Proof And Intution, Michael Detlefsen

ACMS Conference Proceedings 1987

This paper discusses various perspectives on proof and intuition by examing two epistemic systems, Intuition Intensive and Logic Intensive, and Jules Henri Poincaré's objections to the latter.

Another Look At Pick's Theorem, Dale Varberg

ACMS Conference Proceedings 1987

In this paper, the author discusses his experience building a proof for Pick's Theorem and theorem's history.

Introduction (1987), Paul Zwier

ACMS Conference Proceedings 1987

A Sixth Conference on Mathematics from a Christian Perspective

Edited by Robert L. Brabenec

Table Of Contents (1987), Association Of Christians In The Mathematical Sciences

ACMS Conference Proceedings 1987

A Sixth Conference on Mathematics from a Christian Perspective

Edited by Robert L. Brabenec

Why Do High School Students Choose Chemistry?, Babu George, V. P. Wystrach, Ronald I. Perkins

Chemistry & Physics Faculty Publications

In our previous paper, we sought answers to the question: "Whv do college students choose chemistry as a major?" To follow up on that study, we have attempted to identify the major factors that lead high school students to anticipate a major in chemistry or in a closely related field.

The Annual Meeting Of The Iowa Academy Of Science April 24-25, 1987 [Program, 99th Meeting], Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Program Contents:

Program Summary --- 4
General Session Speakers --- 9
Awards --- 12
Distinguished Fellow --- 12
Distinguished Iowa Scientist --- 13
Distinguished Service --- 14
Symposia Programs --- 15
Workshops/Discussions --- 20
Meetings --- 23
Tours/Demonstrations/Field Trips --- 24
Video Film Preview --- 25
Poster Papers --- 26
Campus Map --- Centerfold
Section Programs --- 29
Agricultural Sciences --- 30
Anthropology --- 32
Biotechnology --- 33
Botany --- 36
Chemical Education --- 41
Chemistry, Inorganic --- 42
Chemistry, Organic --- 45
Conservation --- 46
Elementary Science --- 47
Engineering --- 48
Geology --- 52
Linguistics --- 55
Nursing …

Program Abstracts, 99th Session, Iowa Academy Of Science, April 24-25, 1987, Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Presentation abstracts from the annual meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science

Science Teacher Training In Tanzania: A Study Of Junior Secondary And Primary School Teacher Training Programs, Ward M.J. Mavura

Master's Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Iowa Science Teachers Fall Conference, 1987, Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contents:

--- Keynote Speaker: James Van Allen
--- Sessions
--- Registration Form

Iowa Academy Of Science Directory, 1987-88: Officers, Committees, And Membership Roster, Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Table of Contents:

Board of Directors ... 5
Program Directors ... 6
Editors ... 7
Committees ... 8
Sections ... 25
Award Recipients ... 55
Past Presidents ... 57
Membership Roster ... 59
Constitution and Bylaws ... 71
Meeting Dates ... 83

1986-87 Annual Report, Illinois' Investment, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Annual Reports

"It is a pleasure to present you with a report on the highly successful first year at The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. As residents of Illinois, we have been fortunate to witness a dream become a reality

Members of the Academy Board of Trustees represent business, education, and the private sector, all of whom have an interest in promoting the economic development of Illinois. We believe that for Illinois businesses to compete and be effective in global markets, they must be highly innovative and adaptable. The leadership necessary to achieve this goal can be attained through the training and …

Sabbatical Leave Proposal, David A. Linton

Sabbaticals

I intend to study those aspects of planetarium education of which, at the time of the sabbatical, the college most urgently needs an understanding. I intend to do whatever is necessary to enable the Parkland Planetarium to commence successful operations in 1987. I also wish to attend meetings of those professional planetarium societies in which I hold membership, ·and to participate in two planetarium education workshops.

Cover - Front Matter - Table Of Contents

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

Branching, Ed Harris

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

For many years I have observed and photographed visual patterns. Sometimes I stumble upon them, and other times I search to find them, record them and perhaps make some sense of the relationships I see in the many variations. In the early '70s I began to put these observations together and to classify the many patterns into branching and layering. These two systems I see as primal information from which the human can better understand an underlying structure in the universe. These universal patterns act as building blocks to many diverse and complex forms and phenomena. The images and ideas …

Teaching Thinking Skills: Can We? Do We?, Edward L. Pizzini

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

In virtually every journal related to education, one can find an article pertaining to "thinking skills." To say the least, the term is on the forefront in education. Likewise, its continued emergence in science education is not coincidental. After all, science is closely associated with logic and reasoning and should be a focal point for enhancing the development of the basic skills of thinking. The basic questions raised in this manuscript are "Can we and do we teach thinking skills in the science classroom?"

Ye Olde Learning Center, Stephanie A. Althof, Carl W. Bollwinkel, Kate J. Mcinroy

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

As new information and technology flood the educational system, more and more educators find themselves faced with data bases, software, computer links, and other "advanced tools" designed to make teaching easier. Talking computers flash messages and beep for correct answers {to the delight of many children), and it becomes fairly obvious that we are in an "out with the old, in with the new" generation. However, there is one basic and relatively simple teaching tool that refuses to die: the learning center.

University Of Iowa Model For Science Teacher Education, Robert E. Yager

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Teachers can learn to assess their teaching performance and to use such information for improvement. Several observations and experiments have led to the formulation of a model at the University of Iowa which continues to grow and to be modified as experiences with it dictate. The model has evolved from over two decades of efforts. However; it has matured as a result of the NSF supported Iowa-UPSTEP program (a teacher-education development effort which enjoyed ten years of support), and the NSTA Search for Excellence project which arose from a 1977-80 NSF research effort called Project Synthesis (Harms & Yager, 1981).

Astronomy Bulletin - April, May And June 1988, P. Steven Leiker

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The promise of warmer weather in the spring and summer months brings out the astronomer in everyone. The night sky for April, May and June contains many interesting objects that can be viewed with a pair of binoculars or a small telescope.