Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

How We Think About And Prepare To Teach Physics, Dewey I. Dykstra

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

We have been preparing physics teachers in the same manner for many decades. Yet, physics education research reveals for some observers disturbing evidence of little or no change in understanding the phenomena occurs as a direct result of physics instruction from elementary school through the college years. The apparent compatibility between these learning results and prevailing paradigm enables the construction of a description the paradigm. If it can be demonstrated that there is even just one alternative paradigm from which powerful alternative pedagogical practice is derived, are we not obligated to change how we prepare to teach physics?

The Effects Of The Use Of Dynamic Geometry Software On Student Achievement And Interest, Heidi B. Hansen

Mathematics Graduate Theses

This study examines the current research that exists on the effects that the use of dynamic geometry software has on student achievement and interest level in mathematics. Additional questions examined are whether using dynamic geometry software has a greater impact on high or low achievers, and what current methods of implementation are suggested by the research. A review of the relevant literature indicates that the use of dynamic geometry software does have a positive effect on student achievement, particularly achievement in areas of high-level thinking. Insufficient research has been done on the effect that the use of dynamic geometry software …

Teachers' Handbook For Using Picture Books To Promote/Reinforce Mathematical Concepts In The Early Primary Grades, Andrea Lynn Bannister

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper was to design a handbook for early primary grade teachers interested in using picture books to promote/reinforce mathematics. The handbook includes ten lessons based on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards, 2000.

Oliver Ranch Core Group Meeting: July 20, 2004, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions (5 minutes)
2. Approval of Minutes from June 15 Meeting (5 minutes)
3. Review of Draft Talking Points/FAQ – Nancy Flagg (30 min)
4. Discussion of Wild Horse and Burro Facility – Billie Young (30 min.)
5. Standing Reports (30 minutes)
   A. Line and Space Update – Les Wallach/Henry Tom
   B. UNLV/CESU Update – Peg Rees/Nancy Flagg
   c. RRCNRA Capital Improvements Update – Mark Morse/Michael Reiland
6. ORSS Committee Reports (15 minutes)
   A. Design Oversight – David Frommer
   B. Educational Programs – Paul Buck
   C. Fund-Raising & Partnerships – Blaine Benedict
   D. NEPA – Charles Carroll
   E. Operations – Jack Ramsey
   F. Other Uses …

Reasoning About Motion: A Case Study, Tiffini Lynn Glaze

Theses and Dissertations

Several dance and industrial design students were given the opportunity to attend a non-traditional mathematics course. The nature of this course prompted student interaction and expected collaboration. My research focuses on one dance student, Sara, who did not consider herself a strong mathematics student, but who understood physical motion very well. This paper explores the evolution of Sara's representations for physical motion in a given task, and discusses her reasoning for keeping or dismissing various parts of her representations during the course of this task. I examine first how Sara learns mathematics with understanding in this task, and second how …

Lewis And Clark State Park Signs, Robert F. Diffendal Jr., Les Howard

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Bob Diffendal wrote text and Les Howard created maps for new Lewis and Clark signs at Ponca State Park on the Missouri River.

The Corps of Discovery led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark reached what is now southeastern Nebraska on July 10, 1804. It arrived at the point on the Missouri River adjacent to what is now Ponca State Park on August 22, 1804; and entered fully into South Dakota on September 8, 1804. Over this span of nearly two months members of the expedition saw and described many geologic features. The locations of some of the more prominent …

The Morphology Of Steve, Eugenie C. Scott, Nicholas J. Matzke, Glenn Branch, Steven Mccullagh

Faculty Articles

This report is part of Project Steve. Project Steve is, among other things, the first scientific analysis of the sex, geographic location, and body size of scientists named Steve. We performed this research for the best of all reasons: we discovered that we had lots of data. No scientist can resist the opportunity to analyze data, regardless of where that data came from or why it was gathered.

Ua64/2 The Challenge: Magazine Of The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 13, Summer 2004), Center For Gifted Studies, Tracy Inman Editor

Gifted Studies Publications

No abstract provided.

Developing Scientific Talent In Students With Special Needs: An Alternative Model For Identification, Curriculum, And Assessment, Carolyn R. Cooper, Susan M. Baum, Terry W. Neu

Education Faculty Publications

Can students with learning and attention difficulties in school actually be talented scientists in disguise? This article presents a model that was highly successful in identifying and developing scientific talent in these special students. The factors that contributed to the success of the model were the following: The emphasis was on helping students become creative producers. The model also featured a strong mentoring component that included role-modeling and problem solving within specific scientific domains and provided students with authentic, discovery-based, experiential, advanced level subject matter of the domain. Finally, the alternate means of assessing student achievement focused on a student’s …

Rui Barbosa And The Argument For Teaching The Natural Sciences In The Brazilian Primary School Of The Xix Century, Karl M. Lorenz

Education Faculty Publications

The paper discusses the ideas of Rui Barbosa on the importance of teaching science in the primary schools of nineteenth-century Brazil. Barbosa was one of the great parliamentarians of his time and one of Brazil’s most vocal advocates of educational reform in the nineteenth century. In 1882, Barbosa was directed to provide a written assessment of the1878 educational reform of Minister Leonçio de Carvalho. In the document that resulted, Barbosa states his rationale for why and how the natural sciences should be taught in the primary school. This paper relates Barbosa’s ideas on science teaching and argues that he was …

Mathematics Teachers’ Knowledge Base: Preliminary Results, Guershon Harel, Kien Lim

Departmental Papers (Math)

Student learning depends on the teacher’s actions, which are, in turn, dependent on the teacher’s knowledge base—defined here by three components: knowledge of mathematics content, knowledge of student epistemology, and knowledge of pedagogy. The purpose of this study is to construct models for teachers’ knowledge base and for their development in an on-site professional development project.

Oliver Ranch Core Group Meeting: June 15, 2004, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Approval of Minutes from May 18 Meeting
2. UNLV/CESU Update – Peg Rees/Nancy Flagg
   A. ORSS History and Talking Points
   B. Presentations to Civic Groups
3. Line and Space Update – Les Wallach/Henry Tom
4. RRCNRA Capital Improvements Update – Mark Morse
5. ORSS Project Timeline – Michael Reiland
6. Linkages Between ORSS Curriculum and Building Design – Paul Buck
7. Video Interviews of CCSD 5th Graders – CCSD Staff
8. ORSS Sub-Committee Reports
   -- Status of Committee Mission Statements
   -- Committee Responses to L&S Draft
   -- Proposal to Establish a Building Committee
   A. Operations – Jack Ramsey
   B. Wild Horse & Burro – Billie Young
   C. …

Integrating Research And Teaching Labs With The Module Evolution Approach, Michael S. Reagan

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Development Of Artificial Intelligence Curriculum For Adult Learners At The Adult Education Center Of The Palm Beach County School District, Iwasan D. Kejawa, Carmon Weaver

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Theses and Other Student Research

Due to social, economical, physiological and technological changes in our environment, the School District of Palm Beach County is preparing to satisfy the learning needs of the adult learners by developing Artificial Intelligence courses that will enable them to adapt to changes in their environment. This calls for the implementation of an artificial intelligence systems curriculum as one of the preparation and several measures of adult student learning.

The research question is: “What should be included in a curriculum for adult learners to acquire knowledge and to improve and transfer their knowledge?” The research question was answered by a thorough …

Girls And Science: A Qualitative Study On Factors Related To Success And Failure In Science, Paula Denise Johnson

Dissertations

This qualitative study sought to determine how girls perceived factors that contribute to their success in science programs designed to maximize their achievement. The sample consisted of 20 students in 9th and 12th grades attending a school of choice. Respondents were interviewed using a structured interview protocol.

The National Council for Research on Women study (Thom, 2001) found that girls are more successful in math and science programs that incorporate acooperative, hands-on approach than in programs that stress competition and individual learning. This finding was supported by this study among 20 high school girls in a school whose mission is …

The Interactions Between An Orthodox Christian Worldview And Environmental Attitudes And Beliefs; For The Purpose Of Developing Better Instructional Practice In Support Of Environmental/Ecological Attitudes And Knowledge, Robert S. Keys

Dissertations

Students bring with them to the classroom a wide variety of beliefs and attitudes about the environment and its associated issues. One worldview belief structure prominently discussed in ecological discussions is the worldview of orthodox Christianity. This study uses both quantitative and qualitative measures to analyze the degree to which the orthodox Christian worldview of students influences their environmental attitudes and beliefs. Surveys were conducted with 281 undergraduate pre-service elementary teaching students enrolled in a science methods course to determine the degree to which orthodox Christian worldviews and ecological worldviews interact with one another. From this pool of students, 16 …

Oliver Ranch Core Group Meeting: May 18, 2004, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Where have we been and where are we going?
2. Line and Space Report
3. Committee Reports
4. Future Core Group Meetings

A Study Of The Effects Of The Theory Of Multiple Intelligences On The Beliefs And Attitudes Of Pre-Service Teachers About Mathematics And The Teaching Of Mathematics, Marylin T. Leinenbach

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the effects of the Multiple Intelligence Theory on the beliefs and attitudes of pre-service teachers about mathematics and mathematics pedagogy. It identifies the influence of MI Theory on the beliefs and attitudes of pre-service teachers about teaching mathematics and how past performance in the study of mathematics influences beliefs and attitudes about teaching mathematics. The National Council of Teachers (NCTM) has called for changes in the preservice preparation of mathematics teachers. One of the main components of its Standards on Teaching ( 1991) is providing the pre-service teacher with opportunities to examine and revise their beliefs about …

Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network – Spring/Summer 2004

Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network

Content:

NATS Annual Fall Conference

Geographic Educators of Nebraska Summer Workshops

Groundwater Workshop for Secondary Earth and Environmental Science Teachers

Fatal Pine Disease Continues to Raze Trees in Nebraska By Christine Meyer

Survey Publishes Fact Sheet on Arsenic in Nebraska’s Drinking Water By Steve Ress

Fair Brings Representatives from a Variety of Natural Resource Careers By Charles A. Flowerday

Nebraska Summary S466: Massey Ferguson 6480 Diesel 32-Speed, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

No abstract provided.

E – Journals: Reflections And Communication Improve Learning Outcomes, Teresa G. Banker

Faculty Articles

This report describes how journaling and email were used to
benefit both the teacher and her students on a college campus in Georgia.
The report outlines how decisions were made about the content of the
journals, submission deadline considerations, and concerns about the e –
journal process. Benefits to the teacher/professor are enumerated and
discussed as are benefits to the students. E-journaling has been a
successful experiment, which, seemingly, has improved the education
process for these students and others as well.

The Making Of The Modern Airport Executive: Causal Connections Among Key Attributes In Career Development, Compromise, And Satisfaction In Airport Management, David Alan Byers

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify specific career development attributes of contemporary senior-level airport executives and to evaluate the relationship of these attributes to the level of satisfaction airport executives have in their career choice. Attribute sets that were examined included early aviation interests, health factors, psychological factors, demographic factors, formal education, and other aviation-related experiences. A hypothesized causal model that expressed direct and indirect effects among these attributes relative to airport executives’ career satisfaction was tested using sample data collected from 708 airport executives from general aviation and commercial service airport throughout the United States. Applying a …

The Effect Of Funnix Math On Pre-Kindergarten Student's Achievement In Mathematics, Michelle E. Andreoli

Theses & Honors Papers

It is imperative that mathematics education in the United States be effective and comprehensive in nature. Mathematical skills are a necessary component to functional and independent living. Much debate has aroused over which instructional methodologies to adopt, but the research clearly supports the use of explicit instruction. Direct Instruction is an expository approach to learning, which encompasses critical design principles that enable it to be sequential and thorough. Funnix Math is the newest program, which utilizes this methodology. The present study investigates the efficacy of Funnix Math on the pre-kindergarten population. The results of this study contradict previous research on …

2004 Sixteenth Annual Imsa Presentation Day, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

IMSAloquium Event Booklets

"Students who attend the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy do not have to wait until they graduate from college to begin to make significant contributions to science, mathematics, the humanities and the world around them."

President's Banquet Program, 116th Annual Meeting Of The Iowa Academy Of Science, Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Banquet Program:

Awards - Distinguished Service: Dr. Peggy Whitson
Awards - Distinguished Iowa Scientist: Dr. Wendy Powers
Awards - Distinguished Iowa Scientist: Arnold van der Valk
Awards - Distinguished Fellow: Reid Palmer
President's Comments: Dr. Thomas Felton
Incomiing President's Response: Dr. Richard Lampe

Ists E-Newsletter, April 21, 2004, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--By Way of Introductions

--Top 5 Reasons to be a Member of ISTS

--ISTS Fall ’04 Conference

--ISTS Leadership Team

--Announcements

--State Science Policy News

2003-04 Annual Report, Growing The Talent Our State And Nation Need, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Annual Reports

When the Illinois General Assembly founded the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in 1985, it wisely predicted how science and technology would profoundly shape the state, nation and world's economic and social well-being. Twenty years later, the nation's need to invest in science and technology education is more acute than ever. When releasing the report, Science & Engineering Indicators 2004, National Science Board Chair Warren M. Washington stated, "the United States is in a long-distance race to retain its essential global advantage in science & engineering human resources ...We must develop more fully our native talent."

Os Livros Didáticos De Matemática Na Escola Secundaria Brasileira No Século Xix [Mathematics Textbooks And Brazilian Secondary Education In The Xix Century], Karl M. Lorenz, Ariclê Vechia

Education Faculty Publications

O estudo identifica os livros didáticos de matemática utilizados no Colégio de Pedro II do Rio de Janeiro no século XIX, considerado "padrão" para seus congêneres. A partir de informações contidas nos programas de ensino adotados no Colégio de 1838 a 1900 e com auxílio da literatura especializada, foi possível identificar a autoria e o título de trinta e dois livros-texto, sendo a maioria deles escrita por autores brasileiros e um número menor escrito por autores franceses. Infere-se que houve equivalência entre os estudos de matemática do Colégio Pedro II e dos demais colégios do Rio de Janeiro e das …

Factorability In The Ring Z[√–5], Laura Lynch

Department of Mathematics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The fundamental theorem of arithmetic says that any integer greater than 2 can be written uniquely as a product of primes. For the ring Z[√–5], although unique factorization holds for ideals, unique factorization fails for elements. We investigate both elements and ideals of Z[√–5]. For elements, we examine irreducibility (the analog of primality) in Z[√–5] and look at how often and how badly unique fac- torization fails. For ideals, we examine irreducibility again and a proof for unique factorization.

Ten Suggestions To Strengthen The Science Of Ecology, Gary E. Belovsky, Daniel B. Botkin, Todd A. Crowl, Kenneth W. Cummins, Jerry F. Franklin, Malcolm L. Hunter, Anthony Joern, David B. Lindenmayer, James A. Macmahon, Chris R. Margules, J. Michael Scott

Papers in Ecology

There are few well-documented, general ecological principles that can be applied to pressing environmental issues. When they discuss them at all, ecologists often disagree about the relative importance of different aspects of the science’s original and still important issues. It may be that the sum of ecological science is not open to universal statements because of the wide range of organizational, spatial, and temporal phenomena, as well as the sheer number of possible interactions.We believe, however, that the search for general principles has been inadequate to establish the extent to which generalities are possible.We suggest that ecologists may need to …