Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Improving The Problem With Problem Solving, Cole Thibert

Essential Studies UNDergraduate Showcase

As a prospective math educator who will be teaching in the near future, I was concerned with the idea of preparing my future students for college math courses. I decided to research the effects of teaching students how to appropriately use problem solving strategies in math. My research led me towards looking at the benefits of students becoming better problem solvers and how teachers can implement problem solving into their daily lessons.

When this implementation is successful, students can become more independent with their learning, they are able to work and persevere through challenging problems, and they have a greater …

College Of Engineering Senior Design Competition Fall 2017, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Fred and Harriet Cox Senior Design Competition Projects

Part of every UNLV engineering student’s academic experience, the senior design project stimulates engineering innovation and entrepreneurship. Each student in their senior year chooses, plans, designs, and prototypes a product in this required element of the curriculum. A capstone to the student’s educational career, the senior design project encourages the student to use everything learned in the engineering program to create a practical, real world solution to an engineering challenge. The senior design competition helps focus the senior students in increasing the quality and potential for commercial application for their design projects. Judges from local industry evaluate the projects on …

Farlie-Gumbel-Morgenstern Family: Equivalence Of Uncorrelation And Independence, G. Barmalzan, F. Vali

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

Considering the characteristics of the bivariate normal distribution, in which uncorrelation of two random variables is equivalent to their independence, it is interesting to verify this problem in other distributions. In other words, whether the multivariate normal distribution is the only distribution in which uncorrelation is equivalent to independence. In this paper, we answer to this question and establish generalized Farlie-Gumbel-Morgenstern (FGM) family is another family of distributions under which uncorrelation is equivalent to independence.

Using Two Simulation Tools To Teach Concepts In Introductory Astronomy: A Design-Based Research Approach, Pamela A. Maher

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Technology in college classrooms has gone from being an enhancement to the learning experience to being something expected by both instructors and students. This design-based research investigation takes technology one step further, putting the tools used to teach directly in the hands of students. The study examined the affordances and constraints of two simulation tools for use in introductory astronomy courses. The variety of experiences participants had using two tools; a virtual reality headset and fulldome immersive planetarium simulation, to manipulate a lunar surface flyby were identified using a multi-method research approach with N = 67 participants. Participants were recruited …

Ldentifying And Characterizing Cognitive Factors Significant To Practicing And Learning Meteorology, Peggy M. Mcneal

Dissertations

To see the world as a meteorologist, one must understand and interpret atmospheric processes through representations depicted on two-dimensional weather charts and maps that encode large amounts of spatial and numerical data. This is a cognitively demanding and spatially challenging task, especially for students with burgeoning levels of meteorology knowledge, who lack the expertise of practiced meteorologists that read such charts and maps with ease. With little prior work informing meteorology and meteorology education through a cognitive science lens, this study surveys the literature and follows models of discipline-based education and cognitive science research to identify the discrete intelligence factors …

The Birds Of A Feather Research Challenge, Todd W. Neller

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Neller presented a set of research challenges for undergraduates that allow an excellent formative experience of research, writing, peer review, and potential presentation and publication through a top-tier conference. The focus problem is the analysis of a newly-designed solitaire card game, Birds of a Feather, so potentials for discovery abound. Open access talk slides, research code, solvability data sets, research tutorial videos, and more are also available at http://cs.gettysburg.edu/~tneller/puzzles/boaf .

Apathy And Concern Over The Future Habitability Of Earth: An Introductory College Assignment Of Forecasting Co2 In The Earth’S Atmosphere, Benjamin J. Burger

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Non-science, first year regional undergraduate students from rural Utah communities participated in an online introductory geology course and were asked to forecast the rise of CO₂ in the Earth’s atmosphere. The majority of students predicted catastrophic rise to 5,000-ppm sometime over the next 3,100 years, resulting in an atmosphere nearly uninhabitable to human life. However, the level of concern the students exhibited in their answers was not directly proportional with their timing in their forecasted rise of CO₂. This study showcases the importance of presenting students with actual data and using data to develop student forecasted models. …

Eclipse Ballooning Stem Outreach For Elementary, Middle, And High School Education, Peter Henson, Fnu Anamika, Denise Buckner, Marissa Saad, Caitlin Nolby

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

To promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education through ballooning, the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium (NDSGC) organizes an annual Near-Space Balloon Competition (NSBC) for students in grades 6 - 12. Students across the state of North Dakota have the opportunity to launch experiments into a near- space environment. The students learn how to write proposals, design payloads, and analyze data. They learn through an active, inquiry-based style that will prepare them for real-world engineering and critical thinking jobs. In 2016, NSBC proposed Great American Eclipse as the theme for the competition, thus the students were focused on designing …

Impactful Practice: Lessons Learned Through Ballooning Outreach, Tracy Knowles, Leandro Braga, Alex Eberle, Tom Busby, John Paul Beard, Jessica Glasscock, Jacolby Gardner, Matt Smither

2017 Academic High Altitude Conference

The goal of Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s (BCTC) Eclipse Outreach Ambassador Project was to get students across the Bluegrass excited and educated about the 2017 total solar eclipse. Several years ago the BalloonSat Project was started to provide hands-on earth and atmospheric science experiences to BCTC students. In linking the two initiatives, we allowed BCTC BalloonSat team members to continue learning to design, build, test, fly and retrieve balloon-borne payloads while using a novel method by which to engage local elementary and middle school students in learning more about and anticipating the upcoming eclipse. Eclipse practice flights carried payloads …

Experiential Learning Opportunity (Elo) And Utilization Of Field-And-Data- Based Information Obtained Through The Infusion Of Technology: Highlights On Nasa Stem And Earth Science Curricula, Nazrul I. Khandaker, Matthew Khargie, Shuayb Siddiqu, Sol De Leon, Katina Singh, Newrence Wills, Krishna Mahibar

Publications and Research

There is a greater emphasis on hands-on involvement and critical thinking skills in the geosciences and other STEM fields to inspire and engage K- 16 students to value scientific content and enable them to discover the well-documented nature of the fundamental scientific principles needed to explain various earth science and other STEM-related core phenomena. NASA MAA curricula are ideal for engaging K1-16 students in this context, since grade-specific lesson plans open-up a plethora of pedagogically sound and relevant earth science activities. These include earth’s materials and properties, meteorites, robotics, hot air balloon, flight simulation, star gazing, material science, crystal growth, …

Investigating Statistics Teachers' Knowledge Of Probability In The Context Of Hypothesis Testing, Jason Mark Asis Dolor

Dissertations and Theses

In the last three decades, there has been a significant growth in the number of undergraduate students taking introductory statistics. As a result, there is a need by universities and community colleges to find well-qualified instructors and graduate teaching assistants to teach the growing number of statistics courses. Unfortunately, research has shown that even teachers of introductory statistics struggle with concepts they are employed to teach. The data presented in this research sheds light on the statistical knowledge of graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) and community college instructors (CCIs) in the realm of probability by analyzing their work on surveys and …

Phys 211: Mechanics, Gravitation, And Waves, Ilya Kravchenko

Department of Physics and Astronomy: Syllabi

Syllabus for PHYS 211: Mechanics, Gravitation, and Waves syllabus for Fall 2017 semester.

The Roots Of Early Group Theory In The Works Of Lagrange, Janet Heine Barnett

Abstract Algebra

No abstract provided.

Generating Pythagorean Triples: A Gnomonic Exploration, Janet Heine Barnett

Number Theory

No abstract provided.

Quantifying Certainty: The P-Value, Dominic Klyve

Statistics and Probability

No abstract provided.

Phys 201: Modern Topics In Physics And Astronomy, Ken Bloom

Department of Physics and Astronomy: Syllabi

Syllabus for PHYS 201: Modern Topics in Physics and Astronomy syllabus for Fall 2017.

The Pell Equation In India, Toke Knudsen, Keith Jones

Number Theory

No abstract provided.

Fermi Questions, Question 1: Trumpet Spit; Question 2: Tall Buildings, Larry Weinstein

Physics Faculty Publications

A quiz concerning physics is presented on topics such as the amount of saliva consumed by trumpeter Louis Armstrong during his career and the effect of buildings in the rotational inertia of the planet Earth.

Enhancing The Teaching And Learning Of Biometeorology In Higher Education, David R. Perkins Iv, Jennifer Vanos, Christopher Fuhrmann, Michael Allen, David Knight, Cameron C. Lee, Angela Lees, Andrew Leung, Rebekah Lucas, Hamed Mehdipor

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

Information about the annual meeting organized by the organizations the International Society of Biometeorology (ISB) and the Students and New Professionals (SNP) held in Norfolk, Virginia from July 28 to August 1, 2016 is presented. The event was organized to improve the teaching methods of teachers and learning of students on high education biometeorology and the presentations, practical sessions and group discussions participated by attendees.

Mathematical Knowledge As Memories Of Mathematics, Wes Maciejewski

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

I propose that an understanding of a mathematical concept is comprised of both a conceptual understanding of, and recollections of working with that concept. That is, a mathematical concept may not be immediately distilled in its abstract form from lived experience, didactical or otherwise, and this milleu is brought along in subsequent recollections of the concept. In an effort to balance pedagogical recommendations for increased conceptual teaching/understanding, I propose that memories of encountering a mathematical concept improve its utility in novel problem situations. I support this claim by drawing on the literature on episodic future thinking and on our developing …

Special Issue Call For Papers: Mathematics And Motherhood, Pamela E. Harris, Becky Hall, Carrie Diaz Eaton, Emille Davie Lawrence

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

The Journal of Humanistic Mathematics is pleased to announce a call for papers for a special issue on Mathematics and Motherhood. Please send your abstract submissions via email to the guest editors by October 1, 2017. Initial submission of complete manuscripts is due January 1, 2018. The issue is currently scheduled to appear in July 2018.

I Love You Fifty, Nat Banting

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

This article chronicles the merging of my roles of teacher and learner of mathematics with that of a relatively new pursuit: parenthood. Amidst my attempts to dutifully provide opportunities for my son to interact with various mathematical ideas and artifacts, it was an unanticipated moment of epiphany that allowed me to enter into his emerging world of mathematical significance and rediscover what first drew me to the teaching and learning of mathematics. My son’s innocent, yet potent, understanding of number provides an image of the power of mathematics to organize experience, structure significance, and communicate meaning.

Inquiry Based Learning From The Learner’S Point Of View: A Teacher Candidate’S Success Story, Caroline Johnson Caswell, Derek J. Labrie

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

The goal of this paper is to review current research on Inquiry Based Learning (IBL) and shed some light, from a student's perspective, on the challenges and rewards of this pedagogy. The first part of the article provides an extensive review of the literature on IBL. The second part focuses on one student's experiences in an IBL classroom.

In particular, a graduate secondary mathematics student reflects upon his experiences in a college mathematics class where the instructor implemented an Inquiry Based Learning model. His experience is validated by current research on IBL educational methodology which structures the classroom environment for …

Parts Of The Whole: Why I Teach This Subject This Way, Dorothy Wallace

Numeracy

The importance of mathematics to biology is illustrated by search data from Google Scholar. I argue that a pedagogical approach based on student research projects is likely to improve retention and foster critical thinking about mathematical modeling, as well as reinforce quantitative reasoning and the appreciation of calculus as a tool. The usual features of a course (e.g., the instructor, assessment, text, etc.) are shown to have very different purposes in a research-based course.

Figures And First Years: An Analysis Of Calculus Students' Use Of Figures In Technical Reports, Nathan J. Antonacci, Michael Rogers, Thomas J. Pfaff, Jason G. Hamilton

Numeracy

This three-year study focused on first-year Calculus I students and their abilities to incorporate figures in technical reports. In each year, these calculus students wrote a technical report as part of the Polar Bear Module, an educational unit developed for use in partner courses in biology, computer science, mathematics, and physics as part of the Multidisciplinary Sustainability Education (MSE) project at Ithaca College. In the first year of the project, students received basic technical report guidelines. In year two, the report guidelines changed to include explicit language on how to incorporate figures. In year three, a grading rubric was added …

Rigorous Debates Over Debatable Rigor: Monster Functions In Introductory Analysis, Janet Heine Barnett

Analysis

No abstract provided.

Solving A System Of Linear Equations Using Ancient Chinese Methods, Mary Flagg

Linear Algebra

No abstract provided.

The Definite Integrals Of Cauchy And Riemann, Dave Ruch

Analysis

Rigorous attempts to define the definite integral began in earnest in the early 1800's. One of the pioneers in this development was A. L. Cauchy (1789-1857). In this project, students will read from his 1823 study of the definite integral for continuous functions . Then students will read from Bernard Riemann's 1854 paper, in which he developed a more general concept of the definite integral that could be applied to functions with infinite discontinuities.

The Closure Operation As The Foundation Of Topology, Nicholas A. Scoville

Topology

No abstract provided.

A Compact Introduction To A Generalized Extreme Value Theorem, Nicholas A. Scoville

Topology

In a short paper published just one year prior to his thesis, Maurice Frechet gives a simple generalization one what we might today call the Extreme value theorem. This generalization is a simple matter of coming up with ``the right" definitions in order to make this work. In this mini PSP, we work through Frechet's entire 1.5 page paper to give an extreme value theorem in more general topological spaces, ones which, to use Frechet's newly coined term, are compact.