Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Temperature Monitoring In The Cardiac Operating Room, Abby Pint, Clint Humpherys, Dave Stubler, Nathaniel Lata

Research Days

Background: The goal of this project is to improve the accuracy of temperature readings in the cardiac operating room and, in turn, improve patient safety.

Methods: The project obtained nasopharyngeal, tympanic, and bladder/rectal temperature measurements from twenty CPB cases. Measurements were obtained at six critical points: time of incision, initiation of CPB, aortic cross clamping, removal of aortic cross clamping, CPB termination, sternal closure. Data was analyzed to determine discrepancies among methods of measuring temperature for each type of probe utilized. Plan: Tympanic probes are unreliable and provide lower temperature measurements when compared to other probes Do: Temperatures recorded from …

Academic Half Days Dedicated To Phone Triage Improves Resident Confidence To Independently Triage Calls, Sarah Gwazdacz, Kelsey Gavin, Cati Kral

Research Days

We aim to improve Children’s Mercy residents’ confidence and competence to independently triage admission phone calls, and to help residents develop a system to obtain information during a transport phone call through dedicated academic half days.

A needs assessment at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year was completed to assess the need for triage education. Then, curriculum design, goals & objectives, educational strategies, and implementation of the half day were discussed with leaders in medical education, admission hub physicians, and hospital medicine. Pediatric residents of all training levels were divided into 5 cohorts of 10-15 participants, which rotated through …

Favorability Of Progesterone With Estrogen Among Physicians In Transgender Adolescents: A Survey, Samhita Bhattarai, Michelle Knoll

Research Days

To evaluate the current perspective and clinical practices of physicians regarding the use of synthetic progestins as an adjunct to estrogen therapy in transfeminine adolescents. The survey focuses on perceived benefits, risks and overall efficacy in gender affirming hormone therapy.

Navigating The Fallout: How Pediatric Spine Surgeons Cope, Recover, And Persevere After Major Surgical Complications, Sandeep Yanamala, Richard M. Schwend, Hannah Geoffroy, Gary Sutkin

Research Days

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that surgeons who continue practicing after a major complication are more likely to have strong institutional and peer support, a growth mindset, and access to coping mechanisms that mitigate distress and legal pressures. Study Design:
Qualitative study using Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT) based on semi-structured interviews with pediatric spine surgeons who have experienced major surgical complications.
Introduction:
Complications in pediatric spine surgery have significant emotional, ethical, and legal
consequences. However, little is known about the factors that differentiate surgeons who continue performing spine surgery from those who transition away.
Methods:
33 pediatric spine surgeons were interviewed (28 …

Visualizing Success: The Role Of Visual Mathematics In Higher Education, Taylor-Paige M. Winslow

Education Dissertations

Despite being well-documented methods for supporting deeper understanding of complex mathematical concepts, visual mathematics remains underutilized in undergraduate higher education, where traditional equation-driven and memorization-focused approaches dominate instruction. Using data collected from pre- and post-intervention surveys and written reflections from 24 participants, the purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine how implementing visual representations into a college algebra course influenced students’ mathematical self-efficacy, confidence, perceived understanding of the material, and attitudes toward mathematics. Findings revealed that students who experienced the visual mathematics intervention reported notable improvements in their sense of preparedness, confidence in performing mathematics both numerically and visually, …

From Fables To Facts: Discovering The World Through Stories And Science, Lucille Helen Vanek

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

From Fables to Facts: Discovering the World Through Stories and Science examines the integration of narrative storytelling and hands-on scientific exploration as a means of cultivating environmental literacy, ethical reflection, and sustained engagement with the natural world. Grounded in environmental philosophy, aesthetics, and ethics, the project draws on theoretical insights from Holmes Rolston III, Marcia Muelder Eaton, Allen Carlson, Arnold Berleant, and C. Thi Nguyen to develop a multidimensional model of education that unites imagination, cognition, and participatory experience. Implemented in diverse Montana community settings—including libraries, early learning centers, science museums, and faith-based organizations—the program paired fables, parables, and literary …

"I Gotta Lock-In": Metacognition Strategies In A High School Biology Classroom, Darby Ice

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

Metacognition is an emerging focus in education and has been shown to enhance student learning outcomes and self-efficacy. This study aimed to investigate both student and teacher perceptions of implementing metacognitive strategies in a high school biology classroom, as well as the impact on students’ self-regulated learning. The researcher collected data through classroom observations, student surveys, teacher interviews, and analysis of student test scores. Using the constant comparative method, qualitative data revealed secondary codes of problem- solving strategies, study methods, perceptions of content mastery, impact of classroom environment, and evidence of metacognition. Quantitative data showed a statistically significant increase in …

Learning Contracts In A Fourth-Grade Math Classroom, Kaylyn M. Hays

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

This study explored fourth-grade students’ and their teacher’s perceptions of learning contracts in a math classroom, as well as their potential impact on assessment scores. Over four weeks, students alternated between using and not using contracts. During week three, participants completed a survey of Likert scale and open-ended questions; select students and the teacher were then interviewed. Field notes were taken weekly. Initial data was coded with level 1 codes, followed by level 2 codes derived from the first round. Themes were developed through indexing and analytical memos. Findings showed that students’ opinions of learning contracts were mixed: roughly equal …

Student Perceptions Of Supports And Barriers For Transferring Quantitative Reasoning In Introductory Biology Lab Courses, Joelle Prate, Jeremy L. Hsu

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Quantitative reasoning is a critical skill in biology and has been highlighted as a core competency by Vision and Change. Despite its importance, students often struggle to apply mathematical skills in new contexts in biology, a process called transfer of knowledge. However, the supports and barriers that students perceive for this process remain unclear. To explore this further, we interviewed undergraduate students in an introductory biology lab course about how they understand and report the transfer of quantitative skills in these courses. We then applied these themes to the Step Back, Translate, and Extend (SBTE) framework to examine student …

Integrating Music Content Into The Secondary Mathematics Classroom: Facilitating The Process Of Designing Interdisciplinary Lessons, Denae Bumpus

Honors Projects

Many people enjoy music, and music has a multitude of connections to mathematics, so it makes sense for a mathematics classroom to incorporate musical elements into the instruction, but the literature has shown that many math teachers do not have a strong enough musical background to feel confident in incorporating music into the math class. Therefore, this research sought to provide a resource to help secondary mathematics teachers integrate age-appropriate musical applications to their mathematics lessons which connects standards of mathematics into standards of music. Specifically, the paper connects the Ohio Standards of Mathematics for Geometry with the course objectives …

Development Of Interactive Games On An Affordable Braille Display, Daniel Tsivkovski, Dylan Ravel, Maryam Etezad

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Developing an affordable and STEM learning-focused Braille display addresses a significant disparity in the market for Braille displays, where most fail to provide a cost-effective, accessible, and education-oriented solution. This research aims to bridge this gap through innovative hardware and software development, offering a comprehensive learning experience to elementary school children (K-6) who are blind/visually impaired. The hardware features a piezo-electric tactile display that displays up to six Braille characters at once or a shape in an 8x8 pin array configuration. The educational software includes a user-friendly website packed with engaging STEM activities specifically designed for blind/visually impaired children. The …

Can You Hear Me Now? Student Perspectives Of 3d Phenomena-Based Science Teaching Practices, Leshea A. Moncrease

Dissertations

This dissertation presents findings of a self-study that investigated how student input, through reality pedagogy, may inform 3D phenomena-based teaching practices. 3D phenomena-based teaching practices are not new, but teachers are trying to determine how to use this framework to meet the needs of all students. 3D phenomena-based lessons use phenomena to drive instruction using core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices. The goal of using 3D phenomena-based teaching practices is to create 21^st century critical thinkers and problem-solvers who engage in scientific habits. The acquisition of student perceptions through the analysis of student interviews, reflective journal …

The Impact Of Flipped Classroom With Active Learning Model Of Instruction In Teaching Stoichiometry In Chemistry Among Black And Brown Students, Lawrence Femi Akintokun

Dissertations

Students pursuing professions in STEM sometimes encounter difficulties in General Chemistry, a semester-long foundational subject. A fundamental subject in this course is stoichiometry, which pertains to the mathematical connections between elements and compounds in chemical processes. This fundamental notion is essential for comprehending advanced chemistry subjects, although it may provide challenges for students because of its dependence on algorithms and prior knowledge. Research has predominantly concentrated on the conceptualization of stoichiometry through models endorsed by educators, rather than on student involvement. This project sought to investigate the interactions of Black and Brown students with essential stoichiometry ideas in General Chemistry …

Call For Manuscripts, Michele J. Koomen, Thomastine Sarchet-Maher, Jessica Williams

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Call For Manuscripts, Michele J. Koomen, Thomastine Sarchet-Maher, Jessica Williams

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Preparing To Bridge The Deaf Math Gap: Exploring Preparation Materials For Asl Interpreters In Math Education, Taylor Victor

Undergraduate University Honors Capstones

The gap in performance between hearing students and their mainstreamed deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) peers who use ASL interpreters expands throughout various grade levels and is not a new issue, especially in mathematics. This delay in mathematical development has been prevalent for many decades, and it is still being determined at what level it begins and what the causes are. D/HH students' academic success is often connected to high-quality academic sign language interpreting (Jones, 2017). However, there are still many college-level American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting programs that are not focused on educational interpreting. This lack of focus …

Three-Dimensional Learning Through Phenomenon-Based Science Education And Its Application Via The Collapsed Container Phenomenon, Maryam Saberi, Noushin Nouri

Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications

This research aims to investigate and explain three-dimensional (3D) learning through the phenomenon-based science education approach. The study employed documentary review research methodology to analyze sources that introduce phenomenon-based science education (including research articles, new science education standards, and Iran's national science curriculum guide). The findings indicate that three-dimensional learning, with its emphasis on disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and explaining natural phenomena. In this research, the six stages of phenomenon-based science education—including introducing the phenomenon, creating a questions-observations-interpretations table, developing an initial model, exploring the phenomenon, completing a …

From The Editors, Michele J. Koomen, Thomastine Sarchet-Maher, Jessica Williams

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

JSESD remains a venue for the dissemination of research and practice related to the education of students with disabilities in the science classroom and laboratory since 1998. Volumes #1 through 11 were published in a print format. Starting with Volume #12, the journal has been published online and Open Access. Having JSESD in the Open Access format maximizes access for readers and authors and allows the journal to remain economically sustainable.

Copyright, Michele J. Koomen, Thomastine Sarchet-Maher, Jessica Williams

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Investigating Preservice Elementary Teachers (Psts’) Views Of Nature Of Science (Vnos) And Science Attitudes Following Engagement In An Integrated Physics And Chemistry Content Course, Anna Stahurski

Honors Theses

Students’ classroom experiences affect their views of science, placing importance on teachers’ instructional approaches. Current reform suggests that inquiry-based science instruction supports positive views of science. However, students and teachers have been shown to hold developing views of nature of science (VNOS), or understanding what science is and how it progresses. Compounding matters, every student has their own personal science experiences that shape their science understandings and attitudes. This project investigates the attitudes and VNOS among preservice elementary teachers (PSTs) enrolled in an integrated physics and chemistry content course (SCI142). Two course sections were surveyed throughout one semester (n = …