Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Learning To See The Forest For The Corn: Establishing Sense Of Place And Community In A Field-Based Ecology Course For Pre-Service Educators, Michelle Edgcomb Friday

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation grounded theory techniques were used to characterize pre-service educators’ experiences in a semester-long, field-based ecology course. Through participation in a citizen science project, participants formed a community of practice that extended their conceptions of themselves as ecology students and scientists. Extended field experiences in a variety of local ecosystems contributed to the development of a sense of place. Paired fieldwork with lecture aided their developing ecological literacy and their understanding of place-based pedagogy. All of these combined to support their growing understanding of their role in field-based ecology education. Lack of background in ecology and ecology pedagogy …

From The Co-Editors..., Todd Pagano

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Choosing Stem College Majors: Exploring The Role Of Pre-College Engineering Courses, L. Allen Phelps, Eric M. Camburn, Sookweon Min

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Despite the recent policy proclamations urging state and local educators to implement integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curricula, relatively little is known about the role and impact of pre-college engineering courses within these initiatives. When combined with appropriate mathematics and science courses, high school engineering and engineering technology (E&ET) courses may have the potential to provide students with pre-college learning experiences that encourage them to pursue STEM college majors. Our central research question was: What is the nature and extent of any relationship between high school E&ET course completion and subsequent selection of a STEM major in a …

Stem Stories, February 2018, #3, Ginger L'Heureux

STEM Stories

Student Profile - Amy Hartwig

A Case Study Of Relationships, Resilience, And Retention In Secondary Mathematics And Science Teachers, Angela W. Webb

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Reasons why mathematics and science teachers leave the profession have been well documented and discussed. However, a critical examination of the nuances contributing to their retention warrants our attention. In this qualitative case study, I applied relational–cultural theory (Miller, 1986) to the experiences of three female mathematics and science teachers. I sought to unpack teachers’ decisions to remain in the classroom year after year and make meaning of their experiences as related to resilience in and through relationships. Based on findings from participants' experiences, recommendations for improving teacher retention along the career trajectory are offered.

Stem Stories, February 2018, #2, Ginger L'Heureux

STEM Stories

First Generation Series #4

"Ain't I A Woman?": Black Women Negotiate And Resist Systemic Oppression In Undergraduate Engineering And Mathematics Disciplines, Jessica Alyce Wilson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this inquiry I used Black Feminist Thought as the interpretive lens to investigate the characterizations and experiences of high achieving Black women undergraduate engineering and mathematics majors at a predominantly white institution. The qualitative inquiry considered intersecting oppressions to evaluate the experiences of this population. In particular, Black women operate in the intersection of race and gender, thus for a thorough analysis of their engineering and mathematics experiences to occur, the historical context of the United States and its oppressive structures must be considered. Stereotypes and systemic oppression follow this socially constructed identity as the participants enter the fields …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 30, No. 1, February 2018

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents: Welcome - Congratulations - Faculty News - Gamma Sigma Delta Awards - Publications - Blast from the Past - Baxendale Retirement Reception

An Exploration Of The Factors That Motivate Gifted And Talented Rural Students To Engage In Stem, Issabella Baldwin Zurek '18, Takudzwa George '18, Clinton Oshipitan '18, Robert Luo '18, Amy Wang '18

Student Publications & Research

Research Questions:

• What motivates rural students to pursue STEM?
• How can we use these factors to engage more rural students in STEM?

Stem Stories, February 2018, #1, Ginger L'Heureux

STEM Stories

First Generation Series #3

On The Use Of Semantic-Based Aig To Automatically Generate Programming Exercises, Laura Zavala, Benito Mendoza

Publications and Research

In introductory programming courses, proficiency is typically achieved through substantial practice in the form of relatively small assignments and quizzes. Unfortunately, creating programming assignments and quizzes is both, time-consuming and error-prone. We use Automatic Item Generation (AIG) in order to address the problem of creating numerous programming exercises that can be used for assignments or quizzes in introductory programming courses. AIG is based on the use of test-item templates with embedded variables and formulas which are resolved by a computer program with actual values to generate test-items. Thus, hundreds or even thousands of test-items can be generated with a single …

In Their Own Words: The Significance Of Participant Perceptions In Assessing Entomology Citizen Science Learning Outcomes Using A Mixed Methods Approach, Louise I. Lynch, Jenny Dauer, Wayne A. Babchuk, Tiffany Heng-Moss, Doug Golick

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

A mixed methods study was used to transcend the traditional pre-, post-test approach of citizen science evaluative research by integrating adults’ test scores with their perceptions. We assessed how contributory entomology citizen science affects participants’ science self-efficacy, self-efficacy for environmental action, nature relatedness and attitude towards insects. Pre- and post-test score analyses from citizen scientists (n = 28) and a control group (n = 72) were coupled with interviews (n = 11) about science experiences and entomological interactions during participation. Considering quantitative data alone, no statistically significant changes were evident in adults following participation in citizen science when compared to …

Exploring Practices Of Science Coordinators Participating In Targeted Professional Development, Brooke A. Whitworth, Jennifer L. Maeng, Randy L. Bell

Publications

This study describes how district science coordinators supported teachers and implemented professional development in their districts following participation in the Science Coordinator Academy. This qualitative descriptive case study comprised three district science coordinators from three districts in a mid‐Atlantic state, as well as principals and teachers from those districts. Data sources, including observations, surveys, artifacts, and interviews, were analyzed using the framework method (Gale, Heath, Cameron, Rashid, & Redwood, 2013). District context, science coordinator background, and collaboration were salient factors that influenced coordinator practices and coordinators’ abilities to impact teacher change. We hypothesize that the development of a coaching relationship, …

Eight-Legged Encounters—Arachnids, Volunteers, And Art Help To Bridge The Gap Between Informal And Formal Science Learning, Eileen Hebets, Melissa Welch-Lazoritz, Pawl Tisdale, Patricia Wonch Hill

Eileen Hebets Publications

Increased integration and synergy between formal and informal learning environments is proposed to provide multiple benefits to science learners. In an effort to better bridge these two learning contexts, we developed an educational model that employs the charismatic nature of arachnids to engage the public of all ages in science learning; learning that aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas associated with Biodiversity and Evolution). We created, implemented, and evaluated a family-focused, interactive science event—Eight-Legged Encounters (ELE)—which encompasses more than twenty modular activities. Volunteers facilitated participant involvement at each activity station and original …

Technologies To Enhance And Extend Children's Understanding Of Geometry: A Configurative Thematic Synthesis Of The Literature, Helen Crompton, Melva R. Grant, Khitam Y. H. Shraim

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Empirical evidence indicates that students are not learning geometry with relational understanding of the concepts. Studies have shown that digital technologies can support students in mathematics. The purpose of this study was to find which technologies and technological affordances are specific to learners of geometry. This paper presents the results of a configurative thematic synthesis of empirical studies and theoretical papers to show that dynamic geometry environments (DGEs: including 3D DGEs) and logobased environments were the main types of technologies used to support geometry learners. The results of this study also reveal that there are five main technological supports provided …

Cs As A Graduation Requirement: Catalyst For Systemic Change, Lucia Dettori, Ronald I. Greenberg, Steven Mcgee, Dale Reed, Brenda Wilkerson, Don Yanek

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Since President Obama's announcement of the Computer Science for All Initiative in 2016, there has been a surge in the number of districts that are planning for or newly implementing computer science (CS) offerings at their schools. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the first large school district to have adopted Computer Science as a high school graduation requirement, taking this significant step along the path towards systemic change. The foundation was laid eight years ago when an informal alliance was formed between a CPS high school CS teacher, a CPS administrator, and three university computer scientists.

Equal Outcomes 4 All: A Study Of Student Learning In Ecs, Steven Mcgee, Randi Mcgee-Tekula, Jennifer Duck, Catherine Mcgee, Lucia Dettori, Ronald I. Greenberg, Eric Snow, Daisy Rutstein, Dale Reed, Brenda Wilkerson, Don Yanek, Andrew M. Rasmussen, Dennis Brylow

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

This study investigated patterns in the development of computational thinking practices in the context of the Exploring Computer Science (ECS) program, a high school introductory CS course and professional development program designed to foster deep engagement through equitable inquiry around CS concepts. Past research indicates that the personal relevance of the ECS experience influences students’ expectancy-value towards computer science. Expectancy-value is a construct that is predictive of career choices. We extended our research to examine whether expectancy-value influences the development of computational thinking practices. This study took place in the context of two ECS implementation projects across two states. Twenty …

Using The Real-Time Instructor Observing Tool (Riot) For Reflection On Teaching Practice, Cassandra Paul, Emily West

Faculty Publications

As physics educators, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our practice. There are many different kinds of professional development opportunities that have been shown to help us with this endeavor. We can seek assistance from professionals, like mentor teachers or centers for faculty development, we can attend workshops to learn new curricula or pedagogical skills, and we can engage in learning communities to develop shared visions and become more reflective educators.1However, when these activities end, what can we do on our own to continue to improve? How can we track our improvement? And perhaps even most …

The Look Of Pedagogical Content Knowledge In Middle School Statistics, Dhimitraq Duni

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, I attempt to examine the nature of pedagogical content knowledge (Shulman, 1986) that teachers exhibit while observing computer-animated animations that bring up pedagogical issues in the classroom. In-service teachers were asked to view different animations and react to different prompts about the animations. Later, teachers were interviewed to prompt more discussion of pedagogical issues with the intention of clarifying their stance and their knowledge of pedagogy. The computer animations were utilized as a surrogate for classroom teaching, highlighting issues that could be otherwise overlooked during live teaching observation.

Voluntary Web-Based Self-Assessment Quiz Use Improves Exam Performance, Especially For Learners With Low Prior Knowledge, Jenifer C. Utz, Matthew L. Bernacki

UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo

We examined students’ voluntary use of digital self-assessment quizzes as a resource for learning in a large anatomy and physiology lecture course. Students (N = 238) could use 16 chapter quizzes and four analogous unit quizzes to rehearse and self-assess knowledge. Repeated use was uncommon (12%), as was lack of use (13%). Most students (75%) engaged in occasional use of self-assessment quiz items. Exam performance differed between repeated use (84%), occasional use (76%), and no use (72%) groups. Differences were greater among students who lacked prior knowledge of course topics. Quiz use improved performance more for low prior knowledge students, …