Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Comparative Analysis Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Implications For Active Learning And Assessment At Various Curricular Levels Of Stem And Health Sciences In Developed Versus Underprivileged Countries, Vinay Munlapudi, Santanu De

FDLA Journal

Today’s all-pervasive emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of its role in education, especially for occupational disciplines in health sciences and STEM. AI has reshaped student learning and instructors’ navigation of the evolving, post coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) global academic landscape. This study aimed at encapsulating evidence-based AI implications for student-centered, active learning and assessment at various curricular levels of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and health sciences education in developed versus underprivileged or less developed countries. An extensive, scoping review of 65 recent, scholarly publications was conducted over six months through diverse search engines (PubMed, Google …

The Role Of Trauma-Informed Care In Supporting At-Risk Students In Alternative Education, Jar'mel D. Taylor Dr.

Transformations

Students with traumatic experiences commonly fail to meet educational goals and control their emotions while also losing their involvement in classes. Standard trauma-informed care practices remain absent from numerous alternative educational institutions, which leaves their teaching community without adequate support to help traumatized students effectively. The application of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) strategies toward student outcomes requires investigation to develop effective educational approaches that enhance school success. The researcher used qualitative exploratory case study methodology to study TIC practices in alternative education for Black and Brown adolescent students (aged 12–18) in Washington, D.C. Semi-structured interviews and a focus group with 16 …

Sociology Of Mind Trap In Nepal, Makar Bahadur Sarki

Transformations

Nepali society is multilingual, culturally and ethnically diverse. It holds great potential for development and thought. However, the existing mental traps in society are creating obstacles to fulfilling those potentials. Mental entrapment is a problem in which people follow someone's words with complete faith, just like someone who runs after a crow without touching their own ears after hearing that it has ears. This forces people to live in illusion. This leads to individuals mistrusting their own abilities and pushing society towards inaction. This situation is not only due to individual thinking, but is the combined result of social structural …

Rockin’ Rover On The Rainbow Road, Michael Kolta, Lawrence Burgee, Ying Yuan

Transformations

This paper presents a progressive series of age-appropriate lesson plans for grades K-12 that all use the same interdisciplinary activity to educate students about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) simultaneously. Technology from Texas Instruments (TI) was employed including a TI Nspire graphing calculator that can run Python programs, a TI Innovator Hub, and a TI Rover. The TI Rover is a small, robotic car that has sensors and is controlled by the calculator via the Hub hardware interface. A Python program was developed that uses the color sensor in the Rover to detect the color on colored paper …

“Always Having To Dampen And Dilute My Essence In Order To Fit”: Intersectional Experiences Of Queer Scholars Of Color In Stem And Stem Education, Nuria Jaumot-Pascual, Lisette Torres-Gerald, Maria Ong

The Qualitative Report

This article examines the intersectional experiences of queer scholars of color in STEM and STEM education. Using arts-informed research methods, we conducted and analyzed five interviews and a focus group transcript that focused on the support and hurdles that five participants encountered and the strategies they utilized to navigate their work in STEM and STEM education. We identified that, against the backdrop of prevailing heteronormativity and normative whiteness in STEM, participants compartmentalized their STEM and social identities, felt compelled to negotiate the risks of coming out, and assumed the double burden and invisible work of students who were queer and/or …

Future Teachers’ Views On Their Science Teachers: A Case Of Turkey, Mehmet Karakaş

The Qualitative Report

Here future elementary and middle school teachers reflect on their experiences with science teachers encountered throughout their education and highlight their characteristics. The aim of the study was to create a program where teachers were given the explicit opportunity to reflect on their experiences through journaling that promoted reflective thought. Participants were 173 non-science and 120 science major prospective teachers enrolled in a small university in northeastern Turkey. Data were collected using document analysis. Findings show that effective science teachers do experiments, use teaching materials, and show special interest in students; also, their positive personality affected students’ positive attitude towards …

Fostering Entrepreneurial Thinking And Practice Through Teaching And Learning Integration, Mohammad G. Sabbir

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

This session explores an innovative, evidence-based approach to integrating entrepreneurial thinking into undergraduate neuroscience education through hands-on gene editing experiences. Using the commercially available Bio-Rad CRISPR/Cas9-based “Out of the Blue” kit for bacterial LacZ gene editing, students are guided not only through the scientific principles underlying modern gene editing technologies but also through the entrepreneurial challenge of replicating and manufacturing the kit using existing lab resources. This model empowers students to extend their learning beyond the classroom by engaging in cost-effective, scalable biotechnology practices—particularly valuable for institutions with limited funding. Classroom-based research demonstrates increased student engagement, deeper conceptual understanding, and …

Research On Play-Based Learning In Mathematics, Natalia Do Prado Leite Ribeiro Cleto

Transformations

This paper addresses the importance of using a play-based learning (PBL) approach when teaching mathematics in elementary schools, reinforcing its benefits such as the acquisition and development of concepts, the enhancement of students’ problem-solving skills, and the increase of students’ motivation to learn (Russo, Bragg and Russo, 2020). It explores one of the main causes for math learning difficulties in early learning and explores a possible solution using a play-based approach. This paper also provides a few strategies that can be used by teachers to implement a successful play-based approach in the classroom.

Ethical And Responsible Use Of Generative Ai In K-12 Math Education, Martha Snyder

Transformations

Generative AI (GenAI) tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft’s Copilot have rapidly expanded into both K-12 and higher education, transforming the way students engage with writing and problem-solving tasks. In mathematics, AI is used not only to solve practice problems but also to explain complex concepts and serve as a digital tutor. While these tools offer educational benefits, they also introduce ethical concerns, such as student over-reliance, bias in AI-generated solutions, and transparency in problem-solving processes.

Drawing from the research literature and best practices in education, practical strategies are explored to help educators and students understand how …

Facilitating Trauma Informed Practices In Intermediate Algebra, Ruthmae Sears, Kelley Cummings, Sandra Vernon-Jackson, Keisha Albritton, Alfredo Rodriguez-Vera, Chuqian Song

Transformations

As a programmatic evaluation effort, we examined the extent to which Intermediate Algebra instructors promoted trauma-informed practices. Data were garnered from 230 students enrolled in Intermediate Algebra in Fall 2024 via a Trauma Informed Practices Survey and a survey about the impact of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies, and the qualitative data were analyzed using open coding and thematic analysis. The results suggest that students generally perceive their instructors exhibited trauma-informed care. The results have implications for providing adequate support and resources to ensure all students learn mathematics.

Mathematics Teachers' Perspectives On Computational Thinking: Insights Into Knowledge, Strategies, And Challenges, Hasan Djidu, Heri Retnawati, Haryanto Haryanto

The Qualitative Report

In this study we explored how mathematics teachers in Indonesia understood and implemented Computational Thinking Skills (CTS), as well as the challenges they encountered. While CTS—encompassing skills such as decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithmic thinking—had gained prominence in global education reform, its classroom-level integration remains uneven, especially in diverse school settings. Through semi-structured interviews with 11 mathematics teachers from primary and secondary schools across varied regions in Indonesia, including underserved and remote areas, we examined how CTS was conceptualized, practiced, and hindered in real-world teaching. Our thematic analysis revealed three key findings: (a) teachers demonstrated uneven familiarity with CTS, …

Autoethnographic Action Research As A Contemplative Practice: Awareness And Transformation Of Inner And Outer Selves, Jiju Varghese, Bal Chandra Luitel, Niroj Dahal

The Qualitative Report

Contemplation as a spiritual practice has taken various forms across different religious traditions and regions worldwide. Over the years, various contemplative practices have evolved and become popular even outside religious traditions to promote the well-being of all for inner and outer selves’ transformation. In education, many scholars worldwide have expounded on the benefits of contemplative practices in the classroom for students and teachers. Contemplative practices have penetrated research practices in the form of contemplative inquiry considering performative, philosophical, and artistic transformations, where researchers enter into a deep, thoughtful, and reflective introspective journey to see the connection between what is seen …

Math Anxiety In Mathematical Education, Chenniya Thompson

Transformations

Have you ever wondered why you were so scared to take a mathematics class? Or wondered why your performance was poor during assessments? Mathematics anxiety is real and has been studied around the world. Come with me to find way we can assess math anxiety and solutions that can help aid this anxiety.

Math Anxiety For High School Students, Justin Gill

Transformations

The stresses math can bring to students who overstress or underperform can intensify as the courses they attend become more rigorous. Reviewing several articles to look at how math anxiety affects students, we will look at the position in which math stands in the eyes of students and if how they observe their classes determines their motivation while in class.

Using Geogebra To Foster Imagination And Creativity To Build Mathematics Confidence In A Stem World, Joseph M. Furner

Transformations

Math teachers can better prepare all student for a STEM world using computer software like GeoGebra to better prepare our youth for such high-tech careers like that of which Einstein was part of while also emphasizing and fostering creativity in the learning of mathematics. It is critical we have young learners who are confident in their ability to do math and be creative. Teachers today need to check dispositions toward mathematics and address math anxiety while building math confidence in their students. In an ever-advancing world of technology, math teachers need to incorporate such emerging technologies like GeoGebra into the …

Rachel’S Saga: Using Adolescent Literature In The Mathematics Classroom As A Form Of Bibliotherapy To Help Students Overcome Math Apprehension, Joseph M. Furner

Transformations

Math anxiety is prevalent and an understanding of mathematics is critical in an increasingly technological/STEM society, teachers must play a role in reducing the levels of math anxiety of learners. More recently, children's and adolescent literature has been recognized now as a means to teaching mathematics to students through the use of stories to make the math concepts relevant and meaningful. Literature may be used as a therapy to reach students who may be frustrated with math and/or who experience math anxiety. Story and picture books such as Math Curse (Scieszka & Smith, 1995) and A Gebra Named Al (Isdell, …

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Technology In The Mathematics Classroom, Francena D. Gargaro

Transformations

The integration of technology into teaching pedagogy, particularly in mathematics instruction, has been a subject of significant. This paper examines the impact of utilizing technology for mathematics education. It reviews multiple categories of technological tools available for classroom use, including hardware, software, and online resources, and discusses their potential benefits and drawbacks. Positive aspects of technology integration include personalized learning experiences, increased engagement and collaboration, and enhanced visualization and conceptual understanding. However, challenges such as dependency on technology, loss of conceptual understanding, distraction, and the widening achievement gap due to inequity are also addressed. The paper explores the role of …

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Transformations

Full Issue

Blazing New Pathways For Digital Engagement In Mathematics Using Geogebra, Math Manipulatives, And Picture Books In A Stem World To Nurture Confident Young People In Mathematics, Joseph M. Furner

FDLA Journal

Using best practices for teaching mathematics like GeoGebra, math manipulatives, and children’s literature picture books can all be connected to each other and better help to prepare students for a STEM world to develop confident young people in doing mathematics in a world of AI and emerging technologies. This paper will highlight all the above best practiced and share how they can be connected and taught in a way that is make math meaningful and help students to be confident with technology and mathematics in a way that helps them see math in a hands-on, visual, and abstract way. Learners …

Global Implications Of Covid-19 On Education And Research In Healthcare And Stem: Analysis Of Case Studies, Yumna Indorewala, Santanu De

FDLA Journal

The zoonotic novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 posed major threats to the world’s economy, social development, and public health. Education and research in STEM and healthcare were no exceptions to the global implications of the Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Social distancing guidelines were initially recommended to refrain from in-person operations for preventing the transmission of the virus. As academic organizations implemented multifarious methods to effectively transition to remote/online or hybrid educational formats, COVID-19 necessitated designing, adopting, as well as evaluating the efficacy of new instructional approaches, especially for disciplines that require active, experiential learning such as healthcare and STEM. These …

Mutualism As Mutual Trust: An Ethnographic Case Study On An Elementary-School Teacher-Team Participation In A Science Pd Program, Olga Gould-Yakovleva, Xiufeng Liu

The Qualitative Report

This grounded in social constructivism yearlong ethnographic case study was conducted at the final stage of a larger, longitudinal, multisite, and multi-year project. The current research focused on a group of urban public elementary schoolteachers who volunteered to participate in the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded interdisciplinary science and engineering partnership (ISEP) project. These teachers were enrolled in the professional development (PD) college courses in physics and engineering design, summer research in university laboratories, and interdisciplinary science inquiry (ISI) pedagogy sessions. This research sought to understand the factors which contributed to successful teamwork at the elementary school under investigation. Additionally, this …

“That Cross-Curricular Business”: The Engineering Design Process In Mathematics And Science Classrooms, Eugenia Vomvoridi-Ivanovic, Tonisha B. Lane, Leia K. Cain, Salam Ahmad, Selene Willis, Jonathan E. Gaines

The Qualitative Report

The engineering design process (EDP) is one tool teachers can use to facilitate STEM integration. As part of a larger three-year longitudinal research project regarding engineering identity development among middle school youth in a summer robotics outreach program, this study aims to understand teachers’ willingness to incorporate engineering design in their classrooms through an exploration of their perceptions of the EDP, its applications to their subject matter and classroom context, methods of enacting the EDP, and perceived challenges to and supports for doing so. We conducted a qualitative case study and drew our results from focus groups and semi-structured interviews …

Conflict And Choice Of Study At University Level: Evidence From Pakistan, Abbas Ali Gillani, Xiaocheng Hu

Peace and Conflict Studies

Conflict, and violence related events have been found to have significant effects on the cognitive thinking and mental well-being of individuals. Although there is ample evidence suggesting negative association of conflict with schooling outcomes, there is non-existent research on how violence can impact degree choices made by students at the university level. By using university level admissions data between 2014 and 2016 from Pakistan, this paper examines the differential in preference for degree choices of students who live in conflict-affected areas compared to students who live in conflict-free areas. The results show that students exposed to violence were less likely …

Which Modality Best Promotes Student Achievement In College Algebra, Stephen W. Selby, Jim Swick

Transformations

The exploration of three modalities (Face-to-Face instruction, Hybrid instruction, and Online Only instruction) of learning College Algebra was the purpose of this study. The classes for this study were from the same instructor, during the same semester, during restrictions due to the Covid-19 virus in 2020. The Face-to-Face instruction had 150 minutes of class instruction each week. The Hybrid class had 75 minutes of class instruction each week and the Online Only students had no classroom instruction each week. There were 21 students in the face-to-face class, 32 students in the hybrid section, and 66 students in the online section. …

Math Anxiety Research Paper, Daniella M. Tartaro

Transformations

Math anxiety can be characterized as feelings of apprehension or distress that individuals experience when faced with tasks or activities associated with mathematics. Due to its prevalence, math anxiety is a growing issue for teachers who seek to uplift and prioritize the comfort, well-being and success of their students. Failure to address math anxiety can significantly hinder a student’s learning, lower their academic performance, and negatively cloud their overall attitude towards mathematics. In gathering and sorting resources associated with prevailing positions regarding math apprehension, this paper aims to explore math anxiety’s impact on students' learning, and the benefit of collaborative …

Identity Transformation Through Transformative Learning: Nepali Mathematics Educators' Perspectives, Tara Paudel, Bal Chandra Luitel, Niroj Dahal

Transformations

This paper reflects the perspective of identity transformation of mathematics educators through the lens of transformative learning, foregrounded on Tara’s doctoral research journey. The process of identity transformation seeks to foster reformative skills at various levels by altering individuals and their identities. This is achieved by posing questions about the past that challenge deeply ingrained assumptions, beliefs, values, and perspectives. Therefore, this paper’s focus is on how transformative learning facilitates a shift in identity. This issue signifies a theoretical void that warrants further investigation. Consequently, this paper examines identity transformations through the theories and lens of transformative learning. In doing …

Breaking The Math Anxiety Code: Fostering Einstein Intelligence For The Ability To Change And Adapt, Joseph M. Furner

Transformations

Math anxiety impacts the future of people. It is critical that students in school before graduating, come to terms with such anxiety and gain confidence in mathematics. Einstein speaks of his own issues with math and talks about how important it is for us to be able to change and adapt and how this is a true measure of our intelligence. The author believes that as students feel less anxious about, and more confident in their abilities to do math their performance will improve. As math test scores are often a concern for principals, teachers, and society at large, success …

How Math Anxiety Affects Educational Trajectories, Whitney M. Perkins

Transformations

Abstract

Math anxiety is a significant problem, affecting numerous people of all ages worldwide. Through my research, I found what a debilitating issue it can become. Having math anxiety affects academic performance, class selections, college decisions and even career choices. The cause is still unknown, but many researchers believe that the dynamics between the students and teachers or students and their parents can have a great impact. Females are disproportionately more affected by math anxiety, partly because of past societal norms with gender stereotyping. There are steps educators can take to lessen the degree of math anxiety present in their …

Use Of Technology In Mathematics Lessons, Shabana Ahmad

Transformations

Abstract

The influence of new technology is one of the most powerful forces driving today's development and evolution of mathematics and math education. The use of technology in the classroom is believed to enhance students' academic performance and attitudes toward learning in today's environment. Technology-integrated math lessons encourage student participation in the learning process, making learning more enjoyable and appealing for the students. As Smaldino et al. (2005) noted, the use of technology in instruction enhances not only the learning capabilities of students but also their motivation, thus, students are more engaged in the learning process. Furthermore, it is thought …

Creating Mandalas For World Peace While Incorporating Mathematics, Art, Literature, Writing, And Technology, Joseph M. Furner

Transformations

Across the USA there are more and more students whose parents are from around the world. It is important teachers can effectively teach mathematics to reach all students, particularly those with limited English proficiency, while establishing interdisciplinary and cultural connections and even working toward world peace. The purpose of this paper is to share how a class of students from an elementary school in South Florida with their teacher created mandalas to teach mathematics, art, writing, and even world peace to their students. Math teachers should strive to bridge the cultural gap among all students by incorporating innovative ideas as …