Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Ncuwm Poster Abstracts 2010

Nebraska Conference for Undergraduate Women in Mathematics

Twelfth Annual Nebraska Conference for Undergraduate Women in Mathematics

Poster Abstracts

January 29-31, 2010

Holly Arrowood, Furman University

Kristen Bretney, Loyola Marymount University

Suzanne Carter, University of Iowa

Nicole Casella, Ithaca College

Morgan Chatham, University of Montevallo

Lilith Ciccarelli, Bellarmine University

Amber Clinton, Clarkson University

Jalonda Coats, Tougaloo College

Natalie Coston, Northern Arizona University

Belinda Cruz, University of Texas Pan American

Anita Doerfler, Northern Arizona University

Clarice Dziak, Clarkson University

Terra Fox, Hope College

Samantha Fuller, Penn State University

April Harry, Xavier University of Louisiana

Anne Ho, Regis University

Rachel Keyser, Bellarmine University

Hannah Kolb, Illinois Institute of Technology

Lauren …

Participation In Science, Mathematics And Technology In Australian Education, John Ainley, Julie Kos, Marina Nicholas

Dr Julie Kos

This report was commissioned to update and extend the Background Data and Analysis component of the report, Australia’s Teachers: Australia’s Future – Advancing Innovation, Science, Technology and Mathematics (Committee for the Review of Teaching and Teacher Education, 2003a) that informed the Main Report (Committee for the Review of Teaching and Teacher Education, 2003b). In the five years since the 2003 review, there have been developments in science, technology and mathematics education that have been impacted on by initiatives in policy and practice as well by changes in the context. So that changes in science, technology and mathematics education can be …

Evolution And The Second Law Of Thermodynamics: Effectively Communicating To Non-Technicians, Alexander Schreiber, Steven Gimbel

Philosophy Faculty Publications

Given the degree of disbelief in the theory of evolution by the wider public, scientists need to develop a collection of clear explanations and metaphors that demonstrate the working of the theory and the flaws in antievolutionist arguments. This paper presents tools of this sort for countering the anti-evolutionist claim that evolutionary mechanisms are inconsistent with the second law of thermodynamics. Images are provided to replace the traditional misunderstanding of the law, i.e., “everything always gets more disordered over time,” with a more clear sense of the way in which entropy tends to increase allowing a thermally isolated system access …

Best Practices For Inclusive Science Instruction, Lucinda S. Spaulding, Jenny Sue Flannagan

Lucinda S. Spaulding

The purpose of this session is to provide an overview of evidence based best practices for inclusive science instruction and to equip teachers with applicable strategies for scaffolding instruction and responding to learner needs based on research in special education and science instruction. As a result of this session, participants will learn strategies and methods for helping students learn to independently design experiments, use the scientific process, and develop critical thinking skills. There will also be an emphasis on effective co-teaching practices and employing instructional strategies for reinforcing skills and content knowledge across the curriculum, providing more time for instruction …

Re-Imagining Specialized Stem Academies: Igniting And Nurturing ‘Decidedly Different Minds,’ By Design, Stephanie Pace Marshall

Publications & Research

This article offers a personal vision and conceptual design for reimagining specialized science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) academies designed to nurture decidedly different STEM minds and ignite a new generation of global STEM talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership. This design enables students to engage actively in the authentic work, modes of inquiry, and practices that distinguish four STEM learning cultures, environments, and communities: (a) Inquiry and Research Laboratory and Interdisciplinary Learning Center—develops disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and inquiry-based thinking; (b) Innovation Incubator and Design Studio—ignites innovative and design-based thinking; (c) Global Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Institute—nurtures change leadership and systems-based thinking; …

Stem Talent: Moving Beyond Traditional Boundaries, Stephanie Pace Marshall

Publications & Research

The future well-being, prosperity and sustainability of our nation, the global community and our planet resides in igniting and nurturing decidedly different STEM minds that can advance both the new STEM frontier and the human future.

2010 Newsletter, Morton Sternheim

STEM Education Institute Newsletters

Nanotechnology 2010 Institute p. 2

STEM IPY

Polar Connections Institute p. 4

Legacy Beyond Our Doors p. 5

Nanotechnology Educationp.10

Tuesday & Saturday Seminars p.12

GRANTS REPORTS

STEMRAYS: After four years p. 3

Noyce Scholars: where are they now? p. 9

CLIMATE LITERACY

Are You Climate Literate? p. 6

Far Reaches of the Climate Literacy Conference p. 7

Testing the Schools p. 8

Using Solar Energy, Peter Talmage

Science and Engineering Saturday Seminars

• Best energy source for the environment • It’s getting more economical every day • Easy to maintain • Cuts down on foreign oil imports

What Is Transportation Engineering, Michael A. Knodler

Science and Engineering Saturday Seminars

"The branch of engineering which applies technology, science, and human factors to the planning, design, operations and management of roads, streets, bikeways, highways, their networks, terminals, and abutting lands” The objective is to provide for the safe, rapid, comfortable, efficient, convenient, and environmentally compatible movement of people, goods, and services.

Antibiotics In The Environment, Erik Rosenfeldt

Science and Engineering Saturday Seminars

Issues with Emerging Contaminants in Water

Ciência, Educação E Livros Didáticos Do Século Xix. Os Compêndios Das Ciências Naturais Do Colégio Pedro Ii [Science, Education And Textbooks In The Nineteenth Century. The Natural Science Compendiums Of The College Pedro Ii], Karl M. Lorenz

Karl M Lorenz

A obra apresenta um panorama do ensino de Ciências no Brasil no século XIX, por meio da análise de livros didáticos utilizados no ensino secundário. Toma como referência os compêndios adotados no Colégio de Pedro II, por ser esta a instituição modelo para o ensino secundário público oitocentista no Brasil. Para melhor compreender o significado destas obras, que foram identificadas em programas de ensino que correspondem às reformas educacionais efetuadas pelo Governo Central de 1838 a 1898, o autor insere seu trabalho em uma discussão maior sobre o desenvolvimento histórico das Ciências Naturais e do ensino das Ciências no Colégio …

Developing Fourth Graders' Proficiency In Basic Multiplication Facts Through Strategy Instruction, Stacey Braddock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research study was to evaluate my own practice of teaching basic multiplication facts to fourth graders. I wanted to see how focusing my instruction on strategies would help my students develop proficiency in basic multiplication facts. I chose this topic because Florida was in the process of shifting to new standards that encourage teaching for deeper meaning. I hoped this research would give my students the opportunity to make sense of multiplication on a deeper level, while giving me insight into how students learn multiplication. Through this study, I learned that students initially find multiplication …

Proceedings Of The 122nd Annual Meeting Of The Iowa Academy Of Science [Program, 2010], Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contents:

Program Summary --- 2-3
Acknowledgements --- 4
Welcome from our Campus Host --- 5
IAS 2009-2010 Volunteers --- 6
Iowa Junior Academy of Science --- 7
General Session I --- 8
IJAS Award Luncheon --- 9
IAS Annual Business Meeting --- 9
Symposia Presentations --- 10-12
Great Moments in Iowa Science --- 13
Senior Poster Program --- 14-15
President's Banquet --- 16
General Session 11 --- 17
General Session III --- 18
ESTA Award Luncheon --- 19
Saturday Field Trips --- 20
Section Meeting Programs and Oral Presentations (Alphabetical by Section) --- 21-29
Abstracts (by Section) --- 30-59
Author …

Iowa Academy Of Science 122nd Annual Meeting [2010]: Advance Program, Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contains information about the schedule and presentations for the 2010 annual meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science.

Niche Specialization And Conservation Biology Of Cicindela Nevadica Lincolniana, Tierney R. Brosius

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

As with many organisms across the globe, Cicindela nevadica lincolniana is threatened with extinction. Understanding ecological factors that contribute to extinction vulnerability and what methods aid in the recovery of those species is essential in developing successful conservation programs. Here we examine behavioral mechanisms for niche partitioning along with improving techniques for captive rearing protocol and increasing public awareness about the conservation of this local insect. Ovipositional selectivity was examined for Cicindela nevadica lincolniana, Cicindela circumpicta, Cicindela togata, Cicindela punctulata, and Cicindela fulgida. Models reflect that these species of co-occurring tiger beetles select different ranges of salinity in which to …

Clean Water In The Classroom : Understanding The Importance Of Water Quality , Emily Curry

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

This study’s objective was to answer three research questions related to students’ knowledge and attitudes about water quality and availability issues. It is important to understand what knowledge students have about environmental problems such as these, because today’s students will become the problem solvers of the future. If environmental problems, such as those related to water quality, are ever going to be solved, students must be environmentally literate.

Several methods of data collection were used. Surveys were given to both Bolivian and Jackson High School students in order to comparison their initial knowledge and attitudes about water quality issues. To …

Teaching And Aligning Upper Level Mathematics Classes To Michigan High School Content Expectations In An Alternative Education Setting : Approaches And Issues, Sarah Van Baale

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

After teaching regular education secondary mathematics for seven years, I accepted a position in an alternative education high school. Over the next four years, the State of Michigan adopted new graduation requirements phasing in a mandate for all students to complete Geometry and Algebra 2 courses. Since many of my students were already struggling in Algebra 1, getting them through Geometry and Algebra 2 seemed like a daunting task. To better instruct my students, I wanted to know how other teachers in similar situations were addressing the new High School Content Expectations (HSCEs) in upper level mathematics. This study examines …

How Our Health Depends On Biodiversity, Eric Chivian M.D., Aaron Bernstein M.D., M.P.H.

Ecosystem Disruption & Climate Change

The eminent Harvard biology Professor Edward O.Wilson once said about ants, “We need them to survive, but they don’t need us at all.” The same, in fact, could be said about countless other insects, bacteria, fungi, plankton, plants, and other organisms. This fundamental truth, however, is largely lost to many of us. Rather, we humans often act as if we are totally independent of Nature, as if our driving thousands of other species to extinction and disrupting the life-giving services they provide will have no effect on us whatsoever.

This summary, using concrete examples from our award-winning Oxford University Press …

Existing Specialty Schools As Leverage For Behavioral Sciences Research On Teaching And Learning In Stem Fields, Christopher G. Kolar, Heather Sondel

Publications & Research

The National Science Foundation has requested comments and proposals that outline challenge questions for the next decade in behavioral sciences research. At the same time, the NSF has joined the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology as well as the National Academy of Sciences in issuing reports first identifying the need for specialized STEM education as a strategic necessity and then proposing the establishment of an additional 1000 specialized STEM schools. A common theme in these reports is that foundational work must be conducted to establish effective organizational and instructional practices for these schools. The authors of this …

The Implementation Of Interactive Science Notebooks And The Effect It Has On Students Writing, Eva Braxton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not my practice of implementing Interactive Science Notebooks (ISN) impacts 4th grade students writing in science. Through this action research, students' writing was analyzed to determine whether the use of ISN affected students' use of details, support claims and justifications in their written responses. Also through the use of the Interactive Science Notebook, students' use of science vocabulary in their writing was also analyzed. Finally, students' reflective writing practices were examined in order to determine how students understood and explored physical science. A triangulation of data gathered consisted of the …