Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Joining & Using Google Plus Communities: Georgia Stem Teaching & Learning Conference Community, Daniel Rivera

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

The 2nd Annual Georgia STEM Teaching & Learning Conference has chosen Google Plus Communities as the designated tool for encouraging communication among university faculty, K-12 teachers & administrators, research institutions, and businesses. The purpose of this session is to show participants how to get connected and then how to use Google Plus Communities for collaboration.

Classroom Solutions: Managing Common Core, Donna Lamkin, Stacy Hinds

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Participants will learn research-based, classroom tested strategies that empower teachers, inspire students, and raise test scores. They will learn how to build and maintain high achieving classrooms. The evidence based strategies expand learning and enhance the efficacy of academic and behavioral programs that are already in use. The strategies increase student on-task time and create classroom environments conducive to maximum student performance

Providing Early Childhood Pre-Service Teachers With Increased Science Content Knowledge And Effective Teaching Strategies: A Two Year Project, Lyndall Muschell, Holley Roberts, Christine Mutiti

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

This presentation explores the results of a two-year project with pre-service teachers which focused primarily on providing increased knowledge of science concepts, effective strategies, and use of resources to improve science instruction while increasing confidence for the teaching of science.

Research Participants Discuss Stem Conference Participation And Impacton Thinking And Practice, Colleen Beyer, Thomas Koballa, Delena Bell Gatch, Leslie S. Jones, Sharmistha Basu-Dutt, Farooq Khan

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Last spring, Georgia Southern University hosted its first Scholarship of STEM Teaching and Learning conference. Conference participants were asked to respond to a survey and a subset of participants was selected for an in-depth study. In this session, an overview of the research project will be presented and current research participants will discuss the impact of conference participation on their thinking and practice.

I2StemE - What, Who, Where?, Kania Greer, Bob Mayes

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

I²STEM^e is a new Institute on the campus of GSU whose focus is to increase opportunities for K-20 students, teachers, and businesses to partner together to improve STEM Education in Georgia around the tenets of place-based learning, problem based learning and teaching for understanding.

Integrating Manipulatives To Improve Fraction Concepts, Rachel Dunn

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Many students are overwhelmed by mathematics because the language is too difficult, the teaching strategies are insufficient or they have lost motivation. With a recent emphasis on meeting the Common Core expectations, using manipulatives to eliminate misconceptions in the mathematical classroom has become even more prevalent. I explored the misconceptions that many students struggle with and provided possible methods of eliminating them at all levels for learning. During this investigation, I studied the effect of manipulatives on students’ understanding of fraction concepts and the students’ conceptions of the unit of reference when working with fraction word problems. I learned that …

Teacher Professional Development: Using Local Resources To Engage Teachers And Students In Learning, Missy M. Bennett, Heather Scott

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Do your students or teachers suffer from “nature deficit disorder”? Engage and interest students and teachers in the study of ecology and other content through the use of place-based resources to teach national and state standards. This presentation shares preliminary data and engaging strategies from professional development activities which engage secondary teachers in the investigation of local natural resources and encourage the development of ecology lessons and activities using local resources.

Research Experience Via Active Collaboration With High Schools (Reach), Sharmistha Basu- Dutt, Megumi Fujita, Victoria Geisler, Douglas Stuart

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

“RESEARCH EXPERIENCE via ACTIVE COLLABORATION with HIGH-SCHOOLS (REACH)” is an outreach program targeted to help high school students develop competitive science fair projects by actively engaging them in a Problem Based Learning (PBL) research experience that uses Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL) and Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) to learn, discuss, and apply concepts in a real-world context.

Trig-Star, James M. Anderson

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

A TRIG-STAR is a mathematics student who has demonstrated in competition that he or she is the most skilled among classmates in the practical application of trigonometry. The competition for the honor is a timed exercise which is the solving of a trigonometry problem that incorporates the use of right triangle formulas, circle formulas, the law of sines, and the law of cosines. The contest helps to promote careers in surveying and mapping to students at the High Schools across the country. The award is sponsored by the National Society of Professional Surveyors and cosponsored locally. State winners also have …

Increasing The Number Of Undergraduates Who Succeed In Stem At Uga, Nancy Vandergift, Chuck Kutal

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

The University of Georgia has implemented several strategies focused on improving instruction and student achievement in STEM courses and assisting in the preparation and professional development of K-12 science and math teachers. Specific activities include a mini-grants program, learning communities, pre-service teacher recruitment, expanding Project FOCUS, and increasing faculty effort to improve instruction and student learning in the STEM disciplines.

Stem And Branches: Update On The Columbus State University Stem-Ii Initiative, Cindy Ticknor, Tim Howard, Kimberly Shaw

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Two USG STEM Initiative awards to Columbus State University have spawned the growth of several STEM and STEM education programs and nearly $2.6 million in grants. We provide an update on STEM-II Initiative projects including a peer leader program for core math and science courses, a faculty mini-grants program to promote scholarship on teaching and learning and awareness of best practices models, and a service learning course. The infrastructure that emerged through the first STEM Initiative and continued to develop with the STEM-II Initiative paved the way for a $1.4 million UTeach replication grant and a $1.2 million Robert Noyce …

Building, Refining & Defining Stem Learning Outcomes: K-16 Implications, Richard A. Duschl

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

The July 2012 release of the National Research Council Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts and Core Ideas heralds ‘a new vision of science in education.’ The Framework sets out a comprehensive agenda for the reform of science and engineering education coordinated around 3 Dimensions: Science & Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. While the Framework’s central mission is to impact K-12 education through implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards, there are important but less understood implications for higher education, informal science education and publics’ understandings of science communication efforts. In this talk, I will provide …

Quantitative Reasoning Learning Progressions For Environmental Science: Developing A Framework, Robert L. Mayes, Franziska Peterson, Rachel Bonilla

Teaching & Learning: Faculty Publications

Quantitative reasoning is a complex concept with many definitions and a diverse account in the literature. The purpose of this article is to establish a working definition of quantitative reasoning within the context of science, construct a quantitative reasoning framework, and summarize research on key components in that framework. Context underlies all quantitative reasoning; for this review, environmental science serves as the context.In the framework, we identify four components of quantitative reasoning: the quantification act, quantitative literacy, quantitative interpretation of a model, and quantitative modeling. Within each of these components, the framework provides elements that comprise the four components. The …

Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Of Environmental Justice In Higher Education, Marjorie M. Nussbaum

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Research suggests that issues of environmental justice are not being routinely included in the curriculum of the K-12 classroom and that teachers in those grades do not feel prepared to teach it. Likewise, little has been written about the addition of these topics to higher education coursework, leaving the question of inclusion at this level of education as well. This apparent lacuna may point to at least one reason why K-12 teachers are neither knowledgeable about environmental justice nor prepared to teach it. To discover the current state of inclusion in higher education, a mixed methods study was conducted to …

Minority Women In Stem: A Valuable Resource In The Global Economy, Ezella Mcpherson, Diane R. Fuselier-Thompson

Journal of the International Association for the Study of the Global Achievement Gap (Archived)

While there is an expected demographic shift of the ethnic minority population in the United States to become the majority population by 2020, few minority women successfully attain baccalaureate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) fields. To address this gap, this article employs critical race feminism and narrative analysis methods to examine minority women’s challenges while pursuing undergraduate STEM degrees. Findings suggest that limited access to the field, isolation and alienation, and affordability create barriers that result in many minority women leaving STEM majors. Implications for practice include targeted institutional efforts to increase recruitment and retention efforts towards …

Reimagining The Liberal Arts In An Age Of Technoscientific Progress, Melanie Moore Watson

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The following study will investigate the impact of dismantling liberal arts curriculum during an era of dramatic technoscientific progress. I will explore the development of the posthuman focusing specifically on the areas of virtual reality and biomedicine. As I unravel the implications that virtual reality and biomedicine will have on society in the coming decades, I will describe how a new liberal arts curriculum must be entertained by educators in order to maintain innovation, play, and ethical considerations in posthuman developments. In order for our students to become contributing members of a global community, they must be given the opportunity …

Inquiry, Efficacy, And Science Education, Heather Christa Scott

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Developing learners who are equipped to think critically about the vast information circulating around them is essential in their preparation for a role in society today. The use of effective inquiry-based instruction is not a widespread practice among K-12 classrooms. Many secondary and post-secondary science instructors see the valuable link between students asking questions and the development of critical thinking. Inquiry-based instruction provides student opportunities to ask questions, design methods of investigation, gather information, and finally reach conclusions based on evidence. However, this instruction style is rarely used in the classroom, particularly in elementary classrooms. This study examines the relationships …

The Cultural Studies Of Science Education, Karen D. Chassereau

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In an age of accountability, the demands and constraints placed on science teachers seem insurmountable. Teachers are challenged to provide students with authentic scientific experiences, yet the need to prepare students for high-stakes tests remains. The problem of attrition and job stress in the field of science teaching is growing. As pressures rise, it becomes necessary to understand what the culture of science education is like from the perspective of the science teacher. This study sought to define the culture of science education and determine how this culture informs teacher practice in the secondary science classroom. This qualitative case study …

Paper 2: The Mathematics Teacher Educator's Reflection On Edtpa: The Basics And The Complexity Of Georgia's Implementation, Woong Lim, Lynn Stallings

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

Beginning in fall 2015, Georgia will require that all teacher candidates pass the edTPA, a performance-based assessment, as a requirement for initial certification. With the potential to impact teacher preparation programs in a profound way, the questions and issues related to the implementation of edTPA merit some critical reflection. In this article, we introduce the brief history of the instrument and review the basics of edTPA with a particular interest in middle grades mathematics. Furthermore, drawing upon our experience with edTPA during a pilot program and the extensive knowledge base of edTPA rubrics and scoring process, we present issues related …

Introductory Texts, Georgia Association Of Mathematics Teacher Educators

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

Coverpage

GAMTE Information

Letter from the President

Table of Contents

Improving Education Of Mathematics Majors, Goran Lesaja

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

In this talk we will explore and discuss different ways of improving instruction of upper level mathematics classes. Several case studies will be presented, including in Calculus and Operations Research courses. We will also discuss the importance of extracurricular activities in education of mathematics majors. In particular, we will describe activities related to undergraduate mathematics competitions.

Assessing And Improving Student Sustainability Knowledge In Civil And Environmental Engineering At The Georgia Institute Of Technology, Mary Katherine Watson, Joshua Pelkey, Caroline Noyes, Michael Rodgers

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Overview of a research study being conducted at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) to assess and improve student sustainability knowledge.

Preparing Middle Grades Teachers To Use Drawn Models For Developing Arithmetic With Rational Numbers, Andrew Izsak, Erik Jacobson

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

We will report on-going efforts to design a research-based content and methods course for future middle grades teachers focused on numbers and operations. A main theme of the course is to solve problems using drawn models and to develop general numeric methods. Attendees will work on activities used in the course that elicit difficulties future teachers experience with this content.

Stem Ii Initiative-Updates From Participating Institutions (Part 2), Pamela Gore, Dabney Dixon, Charles Kutal, Farooq Khan, Myrna Gantner

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

STEM II Initiative – Updates from Participating Institutions (Part 2) is made up of a series of “sampler sessions” so that interested individuals can get an overview but not comprehensive coverage. Dr. Pamela Gore will begin this session by discussing the STEM II Initiative at Georgia Perimeter College. Second, Dr. Dabney Dixon will talk about the STEM II Initiative at Georgia State University. Third, Dr. Charles Kutal will provide information concerning the STEM II Initiative at the University of Georgia. Fourth, Dr. Farooq Khan and Dr. Myrna Gantner will discuss what is happening with the STEM II Initiative at the …

Assessing The Impact Of Tutorial Services, Cindy Henning, Kimberly Shaw, Tim Howard

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

This is a preliminary report assessing the impact of tutorial services on student performance. We discuss a statistical approach, and why regression models do not appear suitable for the analysis.

Climate & Chemistry- An Introductory Course For First Year Students, Catrena Lisse, Chavonda Mills, Julia Metzker

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Students will be able to:

• explain multiple approaches that respond to problems in chemistry

• implement effective search strategies and evaluate sources of chemical information for relevance and authority.

• explain and analyze scientific evidence.

• form logical conclusions from the chemical information presented.

• understand the chemical properties of atoms, molecules, ions and gases.

• understand the chemical principles of stoichiometry, reactions in solutions, thermochemistry, atomic structure, periodicity and bonding.

• construct strategies to solve problems with integrated concepts and evaluate solutions

Stem Enhancement Programs: The National Context, Nathan Moon, Paul Baker, Braeden Benson

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

We present findings from a review of the scholarly literature and Web survey that were undertaken to develop a catalogue of STEM enhancement programs. Our research revealed that 42 states have developed such programs, 30 of which focus specifically on P-16 STEM education. This session will discuss our findings and report on other programs comparable to the USG STEM Initiative.

The Need To Teach Civility In Ece Classrooms, Michael Borders, Donna Borders

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Methods for the teaching of civility to teacher education candidates—the why, what and how—are premised on the current societal need to emphasize altruistic behaviors. Survey results from 120 teacher candidates and 120 clinical supervisors within an eight- county Georgia area will be exhibited along with research literature reviews, lesson plans, and pre- and post-test data analyses.

Stem Ii Initiative-Updates From Participating Institutions (Part 1), Nathan Moon, Tim Howard, Kim Shaw, Rosalie Richards, Judy Awong-Taylor

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

STEM II Initiative – Updates from Participating Institutions (Part 1) is made up of a series of “sampler sessions” so that interested individuals can get an overview but not comprehensive coverage. Dr. Nathan Moon will introduce this session by telling a few important lessons gleaned from the STEM I evaluations. Second, Dr. Tim Howard will talk about the STEM II Initiative at Columbus State. Third, Dr. Judy Awong-Taylor will provide information concerning the STEM II Initiative at Georgia Gwinnett College. Fourth, Dr. Rosalie Richards will discuss what is happening with the STEM II Initiative at Georgia College & State University.

Using The Sunspotter In The Stem Curriculum, Richard Schmude

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Attendees will be introduced to the Sunspotter in this workshop. This is a device that projects an image of the Sun safely. Attendees can expect to learn how to incorporate this instrument into their classroom.