Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Student Perceptions: How Stem Students Value Belonging Interventions, Elizabeth Runkel Baez

University Honors Theses

With the prioritization of increasing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) graduates in the United States, researchers have become increasingly interested in how to promote STEM students' sense of belonging. Sense of belonging is considered a marker of persistence in STEM. Facilitated 'belonging interventions' are one way to strengthen a sense of belonging amongst STEM students. How students respond to, value, and understand these belonging interventions is relatively understudied. In this study, focus groups were conducted with STEM students from a single university to investigate how they value an in-class belonging activity. Qualitative thematic coding of focus group responses revealed …

درجة امتلاك الطلبة المعلمين بتخصص العلوم في جامعة السلطان قابوس لمهارات التفكير المستقبلي وعلاقتها بمستوى معرفتهم بالنمذجة العلمية, Samira Al Maamari, Abdullah Khamis Ambusaidi Prof.

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

هدف المقال معرفة درجة امتلاك الطلبة المعلمين بتخصص العلوم في جامعة السلطان قابوس بسلطنة عُمان لمهارات التفكير المستقبلي وعلاقتها بمستوى معرفتهم بالنمذجة العلمية، واستخدمت الدراسة المنهج الوصفي؛ إذ تكونت عينة الدراسة من (100) طالبٍ وطالبةٍ (45 ذكرًا، و55 أنثى) تخصص العلوم بكلية التربية في جامعة السلطان قابوس، واختيرت بطريقة العينة المتيسرة. ولتحقيق أهداف الدراسة أُعدت أداتان، هما: مقياس لمهارات التفكير المستقبلي لديهم، تكون من (36) عبارة موزعة على ستة محاور، واستبانة مختلطة (مغلق – مفتوح)؛ للكشف عن مستوى معرفتهم بالنمذجة العلمية، وتضمن على 12 سؤالًا. أظهرت النتائج أن درجة امتلاك مهارات التفكير المستقبلي لدى الطلبة المعلمين بتخصص العلوم في جامعة …

Exploring Culturally Responsive Instruction In Advanced Placement Science: Perspectives From Teachers Of Underrepresented Students, Nathan Frey

Theses and Dissertations

The study investigated teacher perceptions on the influence of culturally responsive instruction in advanced placement (AP) science courses, focusing on teachers of underrepresented student populations. The study explored how teachers viewed these educational strategies to support diverse student groups and bridge opportunity gaps prevalent in AP science education. Through narrative analysis, the research considered teachers' perceptions and implementations of culturally responsive practices and the engagement of underrepresented students in AP science. This exploration interpreted the potential of culturally responsive pedagogy to enhance student outcomes, participation, and interest in science, contributing to a more equitable and inclusive AP science experience while …

Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Scott L. Gardner, Sue Ann Gardner

Zea E-Books Collection

Note that this version of the textbook has been superceded by the one updated in 2026, available at the UNL Pressbooks site.

The hard copy version that is for sale at lulu.com is the old version.

"This is a textbook covering concepts in animal parasitology. It is meant to be used by students, teachers, professors, researchers, and members of the public who are interested in learning about animal parasite biology, systematics, taxonomy, zoogeography, and ecology. The primary intended audience is upper-level undergraduate or graduate university students who have knowledge of basic biology and, particularly, basic animal biology. (863 pages, …

Effects Of Plc At Work In Arkansas On Academic Outcomes, Sarah Mckenzie, Kate Barnes, Charlene Reid

Policy Briefs

This study evaluates the impact of Solution Tree’s Professional Learning Communities (PLC) at Work model on the academic achievement and growth of students in Arkansas schools. It provides the first large-scale evaluation of the PLC at Work model’s effectiveness in improving student academic outcomes. Using publicly available data from the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), the analysis uses a two-stage matching process and an event study framework to determine the effectiveness of PLC at Work across six cohorts. The findings hold significant implications for policymakers, educators, and researchers interested in leveraging professional development to enhance educational practices and student outcomes. …

Professional Learning Communities And Student Outcomes: A Quantitative Analysis Of The Plc At Work Model In Arkansas Schools, Kate Barnes, Sarah Mckenzie

Arkansas Education Reports

This study evaluates the impact of the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) at Work model on student achievement and growth in Arkansas schools. Implemented through a partnership between the Arkansas Department of Education and Solution Tree, the program promotes collaborative professional development among educators. Using a matching process and an event study framework, we analyze longitudinal data on student performance in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics from multiple cohorts of schools.

The overall results reveal mixed outcomes. While no statistically significant improvements were observed in overall student achievement or growth, there were concerning trends for economically disadvantaged students. This subgroup …

(R2068) A Study To Assess The Stress On Students Of Higher Education During Covid-19 Using Fuzzy Logic System, Monika Rathore, Uday Raj Singh, Sanjeev Kumar

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted various sectors, with higher education being one of the most severely affected. Students in higher education faced numerous challenges transitioning to online learning, leading to a surge in mental health issues. The abrupt shift in the mode of education and the inability of many students to adapt exacerbated their mental health struggles. This, in turn, contributed to a notable rise in student suicide rates in India during the pandemic-induced isolation period. Addressing this critical socio-psychological issue requires effective strategies for stress detection and management. The proposed study employed the Online Education Stress Scale (Online ESS) …

An Investigation Into Teaching Sports Analytics, Josh Havstad

Master's Theses

Sports analytics arrived in the mainstream media through the novel and film Moneyball. However, its origins date back to operations researchers following World War II. Often considered a subdiscipline of statistics, sports analytics draws from statistics but also includes concepts from data science, communication, and marketing. As a passionate fan of sports, I have pursued statistics in my undergraduate and graduate education with the dream of working in sports for my career. However, educational opportunities in sports analytics are limited nationwide, and more specifically, there is no educational opportunity at my university, California Polytechnic State University in San Luis …

Gender Disparity In Students’ Performance Of Science And Mathematics: Evidence From Nationwide Study In Pakistan, Sadia Muzaffar Bhutta, Aisha Naz Ansari, Sohail Ahmad

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Gender disparity in science and mathematics performance is being researched internationally. In a complex education system, like Pakistan, studying the difference in isolation may not generate holistic understanding. Therefore, this paper investigates changes in trends of performance in Science and Mathematics for both genders across public and private schools. Data were gathered from a nationwide sample of elementary grades students (n=15,391) using SATs/MATS. Independent t-test and two-way-ANOVA were employed to analyse data. Results revealed that girls outperformed boys in Science (p<0.01) while no gender differences in performance were observed in Mathematics. Gender and school systems demonstrated significant interaction effect only in mathematics, unveiling that girls perform better in public schools while this difference diminished in the private school system. The results show implications for employing gender-fair policies and practices in science and mathematics education.

Math Anxiety And Avoidance Of Mathematics At The College Level: Undergraduate And Their Sense Of Not Belonging In Math Classrooms, Kay C. Lashley

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Negative experiences and perceptions of the subject often influence the avoidance of mathematics at the college level. This study explored this issue by investigating the relationship between math anxiety, belongingness in math classes, and help-seeking behaviors among STEM and non-STEM majors. The study involved 41 participants, including 24 STEM majors and 17 non-STEM majors, all undergraduate college students aged 18 to 54. The results revealed that most students (39 out of 41) felt a sense of belonging in their math classes. Correlation analyses showed a significant positive relation between math anxiety and self-reported math competency, “r(41)= .44, p < .01,” and that higher levels of math anxiety were linked to a greater likelihood of avoiding math classes, “r(41)= .35, p = .02”. Students with lower math anxiety were marginally more inclined to seek help from family or friends, “ X2 (12, N = 42) = 20.1, p = .065”. However, there were no significant differences in help-seeking behaviors between STEM and non-STEM majors. Overall, these findings are consistent with previous studies. Nevertheless, more research and interventions are needed to develop supportive math learning environments at the college level, especially for students with higher anxiety.

A Microgenetic Learning Analysis Of Contextuality In Reasoning About Exponential Modeling, Elahe Allahyari

Dissertations

This work explores the complex cognitive processes students engage in when addressing contextual tasks requiring linear and exponential models. Grounded within Piagetian constructivism and the Knowledge in Pieces (KiP) epistemological perspective (diSessa, 1993, 2018), this empirical study in a clinical setting develops a Microgenetic Learning Analysis (MLA) of the reasoning of 14 students from an Algebra II course. It reveals the critical role of cognitive disequilibrium as an essential cognitive state for conceptual development and the process of reorganizing knowledge systems. The study uncovers the fluctuations in students’ reasoning patterns and the significant impact on students’ reasoning patterns of task-specific …

Pltl Develops Scholars For Majors In The Built-Environment​, Shpat Halili, Calvin O. Walters Jr.

Publications and Research

The National Science Foundation S-STEM program at NYC College of Technology (City Tech), Developing an Ecosystem of STEM success for Built Environment Scholars (Award Number 2150432), focuses on supporting and developing scholars in the majors relating to the Built Environment. The proposed project includes the expansion of Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) at City Tech. The PLTL model creates a supportive learning environment and supplements the faculty-centered classroom with student-led and student-oriented workshops. At City Tech, existing workshops provide curricular support in statics and mathematics. The PLTL program benefits promising first-year STEM students, and the S-STEM program utilizes the PLTL model …

Experiences Of Community College Stem Students In Transferring And Adapting To A Four-Year Urban University, Mackenzie Jade Gray

Dissertations and Theses

Ensuring that the bachelor's degree pathway that begins at a community college is a robust option for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students will be key for addressing the calls to increase and diversify the future STEM workforce. Yet, students on this pathway currently face many structural barriers that can lead to attrition. In this work, we aim to understand the experiences of community college students as they transfer, adapt, and persist to graduation at an urban four-year university.

First, we used the Model for Analyzing Human Adaptation to Transition to explore the experiences of community college STEM students …

Linear Ode Systems Having A Fundamental Matrix Of The Form F(Mt), Kevin L. Shirley, Vicky W. Klima

CODEE Journal

We interweave scaffolded problem statements with exposition and examples to support the reader as they explore specific linear systems of differential equations with variable coefficients, $\vec{x}'(t)=A(t)\vec{x}(t)$ and initial value $\vec{x}(0)$. We begin with a constant $n\times n$ matrix $M$ and a real or complex-valued function $f$, analytic at the eigenvalues of $M$ with $f(0) = 1$, and construct a linear system of differential equations with solutions $x(t)=f(Mt)\vec{x}(0)$, where $t$ is a parameter in some interval including zero. In general, the solutions to the resulting non-autonomous system are more difficult to analyze than solutions to the constant coefficient case. However, some …

Engaging Students In Partial Differential Equations Through Modeling Fourier's Law Of Conduction, Justin G. Trulen, Kayla Keller, John Sinclair, Lauren Meagher

CODEE Journal

In an effort to make active learning exercises in a partial differential equations course, we present a student activity modeling Fourier's law of conduction under the framework of the heat equation. An overview of the heat equation, including several avenues of study, is provided. Then we give an intuitive way of constructing the heat equation from a couple of fundamental properties of physics including Fourier's law of conduction. We outline an experiment that can be run to collect their own data to model Fourier's law of conduction as well as provide data we collected. We conclude with a student activity …

Pisa 2022. Reporting Australia’S Results. Volume Ii: Student And School Characteristics, Lisa De Bortoli, Catherine Underwood, Tim Friedman, Eveline Gebhardt

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Australia

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an international comparative study of student performance directed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). PISA measures the cumulative outcomes of education by assessing how well 15-year-olds, who have nearly completed compulsory schooling in most participating educational systems, are prepared to use their knowledge and skills in particular areas to meet real-world opportunities and challenges. In addition to the cognitive data reported on in Volume I, PISA collected a wealth of student and school contextual data through the background questionnaires. This report focuses on a variety of constructs related to …

Learners' Perceptions Of Elementary Math Class: A Mixed Methods Exploration, Erica Moy

Educational Studies Dissertations

For social justice and change to occur in classrooms, it is necessary to consider the perspective of learners. Voices from learners around math education is limited in research, especially for younger students. This study examined math class from the perspective of elementary students, with math identity and equitable mathematics instruction as the core. A quantitative coded approach from student survey drawings (n=348) was used for comparative statistical analysis, and a qualitative observation method of categorizing attributes of interest related to emotions in the classroom was used to pull a case study of drawings for deeper analysis. Summary results from teacher …

Association Of Respiratory Viral Testing And Antibiotic Use For Pediatric Patients Admitted For Acute Respiratory Illness Between 2017-2021 At Children’S Mercy-Kansas City, Edward Lyon, Brian Lee, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Jennifer Schuster

Research Days

Retrospective comparison of hospitalized pediatric patients who did or did not have clinical viral respiratory testing performed to understand if antibiotics were used differently between these groups.

Transition Skills Lab: A Telehealth Intervention For Improving Healthcare Transition In Youth With Special Health Care Needs, Angela Combs, Alaina Linafelter, Jordan Sevart, Michele H. Maddux

Research Days

The goal of this abstract is to evaluate youth skill-building and confidence across health care tasks through the virtual Transition Skills Lab.

Long-Term Physical And Emotional Functioning In Children Following Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment For Amplified Pain Syndrome, Sabrina Ung, Jacqueline Pabis Phd, Jenny Scheurich Phd, Dustin Wallace Phd

Research Days

The current study aimed to examine the efficacy of pediatric interdisciplinary pain treatment (IIPT) several years after treatment completion by exploring mean-level changes of physical and mental health functioning pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at follow-up 2 to 6 years after IIPT completion.