Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Interagency Outdoor Education Programming: Quarterly Progress Report: Period Ending November 30, 2009, Margaret N. Rees

Reports (PLI Education)

Highlights of the university’s focused efforts during the past three months include the following:

• Evaluation results from the NEEI Certification program were presented at the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) National Conference on October 9, 2009.
• The Story of Gill graphic novel has been printed; a media release/bookstore signing is in the planning stages.
• A total of 60 people participated in Families in Nature events at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Winchester Cultural Center.
• Registration has opened for the Our Places Tell Stories Conference, February 24 -27, 2010.
• Forever Earth was scheduled for 33 days and …

Self-Efficacy And Instruction In Mathematics, Juana Patricia Ordóñez-Feliciano

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

According to the National Mathematics Advisory Panel (2008) differences in students' mathematical achievement were attributed to differences in teacher characteristics, including the use of instructional methods and their self-efficacy beliefs. Concurrently, today's mathematics teachers face challenges arising from Federal and State mandates requiring students' proficiency to improve on standardized tests. This study considered the relationship between two characteristics, mathematics teachers' self-efficacy and their choice of instructional strategies. Further, the relationship between teachers' self-efficacy and their demographic characteristics as measured by a researcher-developed questionnaire was explored.

The researcher utilized the Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale (TSES) and the Teachers' Instructional Practices Survey (TIPS), …

Nebraskamath November 2009 Newsletter

NebraskaMATH Materials

NebraskaMATH November 2009 Newsletter

Table of Contents:

Common Core State Standards

NE Summit on Mathematics Education

NE Algebra accepts applications

NCTM seeks articles from teachers

New Central NE Math Teachers’ Circle

Highlight on Action Research

Resource: Teaching Teachers Mathematics

UNL Math Day on Nov. 12

Effects Of Participation In Inquiry Science Workshops And Follow-Up Activities On Middle School Science Teachers' Content Knowledge, Teacher-Held Misconceptions, And Classroom Practices, Linda F. Cepeda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An important aspect of developing science literacy for all students is developing science-literate teachers. With the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, many middle school teachers found themselves in a position where they were no longer qualified to teach middle school science. This study was designed to help science teachers increase their science content knowledge, identify and resolve misconceptions/errors they may have, and assist them in their teaching by providing strategies for inquiry-based teaching, science laboratory exercises, and science equipment.

Teachers enrolled in biology courses offered by the Rocky Mountain Middle School Math and Science Partnership participated in …

Undergraduate Engineering Students' Understanding Of Heat, Temperature, And Radiation, Katharyn E.K. Nottis, Michael Prince, Margot Vigeant, Sarah Nelson, Kathryn Hartsock

NERA Conference Proceedings 2009

Difficulty understanding heat and temperature concepts has been recognized in engineering education. Confusion has been shown to persist after instruction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether undergraduate engineering students’ knowledge of four heat transfer concept areas significantly changed with instruction and whether this varied by major and GPA. Two hundred twenty-eight undergraduate engineering students from six institutions were assessed prior to and after instruction. Results showed significant improvement in most concept areas but mean scores were below mastery. Previously documented misconceptions persisted after instruction. Significant differences were found by major and GPA. Suggestions for future research provided.

Best Practices For Inclusive Science Instruction, Lucinda S. Spaulding, Jenny Sue Flannagan

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The purpose of this session is to provide an overview of evidence based best practices for inclusive science instruction and to equip teachers with applicable strategies for scaffolding instruction and responding to learner needs based on research in special education and science instruction. As a result of this session, participants will learn strategies and methods for helping students learn to independently design experiments, use the scientific process, and develop critical thinking skills. There will also be an emphasis on effective co-teaching practices and employing instructional strategies for reinforcing skills and content knowledge across the curriculum, providing more time for instruction …

The Effect Of Mathematics Self-Efficacy On Mathematics Achievement Of High School Students, Xing Liu, Hari Koirala

NERA Conference Proceedings 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics achievement of high school sophomores across the United States. Using regression analysis for complex sample survey data from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS, 2002) (n = 11726), the current study indicated that mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics achievement were positively related, and mathematics self-efficacy was a significantly positive predictor of mathematics achievement. Results from this study, which is generalizable to the population of approximately three million high school sophomores, suggest that mathematics self-efficacy of high school students should be promoted to increase their achievement.

Nebraskamath October 2009 Newsletter

NebraskaMATH Materials

NebraskaMATH October 2009 Newsletter

Table of Contents

Progress Report on the Revised Nebraska Mathematics Standards

Joint Meeting of Nebraska’s Ed Leaders

NE Summit on Mathematics Education

Math Challenge Corner

Resources

Common Core Standards

Informing Mathematics Pedagogy: Timss 2007 Australia And The World, Sue Thomson, Sarah Buckley

TIMSS 2007

The main goal of TIMSS is to assist countries to monitor and evaluate their mathematics and science teaching across time and across year levels. TIMSS has a curriculum focus. This report aims to provide teachers with more detailed information on Australian students’ capabilities in mathematics in terms of the TIMSS assessment. A detailed assessment of Australian students’ performance can be found in the full report that was written to inform the educational community about Australian students’ performance on national and international scales.

Informing Science Pedagogy: Timss 2007 Australia And The World, Sue Thomson, Sarah Buckley

TIMSS 2007

The main goal of TIMSS is to assist countries to monitor and evaluate their mathematics and science teaching across time and across year levels. TIMSS has a curriculum focus. This report aims to provide teachers with more detailed information on Australian students’ capabilities in science in terms of the TIMSS assessment. A detailed assessment of Australian students’ performance can be found in the full report that was written to inform the educational community about Australian students’ performance on national and international scales.

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V05n3, Autumn 2009, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Message from the Executive Director

--Lois Hattery Tiffany

--Norman Borlaug

--Iowa Science Teaching Section Fall Conference

--2009 IAS Speaker Series at the Saylorville Visitor Center

--Announcements, Events & Deadlines

--IAS Corporate Memberships

--New REAP Plates Coming Soon

--GLOBE Database

--Membership Update

Fifth Grade Lesson Plan: Solid, Liquid, And Gas, Getaway Special Team 2009

Education and Outreach

No abstract provided.

Sixth Grade Lesson Plan: Heat Moves, Getaway Special Team 2009

Education and Outreach

No abstract provided.

Encomium: Rolliin Harold Baker: 1916-2007, Carleton J. Phillips, Robert J. Baker, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Rollin H. Baker passed away on November 12, 2007, one day after reaching his 91st birthday. Rollin was a living legend, famous for his pioneering research on biogeography and natural history of Mexican mammals, especially rodents, for his contributions to the understanding of Michigan mammals, and for being a mentor and friend to all young, aspiring mammalogists. Rollin Baker’s career lasted way beyond his traditional retirement, and in his final months he was still active in the Texas Society of Mammalogists and in conservation issues in Texas. Indeed, when he was 89 years old he presented a guest lecture in …

Ists E-Newsletter, September 15, 2009, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--Message from the ISTS Chair, De Anna Tibben

--Message from the Fall Conference Chair, Morgan Masters

--Message from the Vice Chair, Kathy Megivern

--Announcements

--Opportunities

--Book Reviews/Activities

--News

--Your ISTS Leadership Team

Student Reviewer Training For Western Undergraduate Research Journal: Health And Natural Sciences, Tricia Gray

Biology Presentations

No abstract provided.

Nebraskamath September 2009 Newsletter

NebraskaMATH Materials

NebraskaMATH September 2009 Newsletter

Table of Contents:

Fast Moving Educational Initiatives

NebraskaMATH Summer Activities

Book Review

Math Quote

Highlight on Action Research

Math in the Middle Cohort 4 Graduation

Assessing Problem-Solving Dispositions: Likelihood-To-Act Survey, Kien Lim, Osvaldo Morera, Mourat Tchoshanov

Selected Works Temporary Series

This paper reports an ongoing study that is aimed at developing an instrument for measuring two particular problem-solving dispositions: (a) impulsive disposition refers to students’ proclivity to spontaneously proceed with an action that comes to mind, and (b) analytic disposition refers to the tendency to analyze the problem situation. The instrument is under development and consists of likelihood-to-act items in which participants indicate on a scale of 1 to 5 how likely they are to take a particular action in a given situation. The instrument was administered to 318 college students, mainly pre-service teachers. Statistical analysis indicates that likelihood-to-act items …

Mathematical Habits Of Mind, Kien Lim, Annie Selden

Selected Works Temporary Series

The idea of “mathematical habits of mind” has been introduced to emphasize the need to help students think about mathematics “the way mathematicians do.” There seems to be considerable interest among mathematics educators and mathematicians in helping students develop mathematical habits of mind. The objectives of this working group are: (a) to discuss various views and aspects of mathematical habits of mind, (b) to explore avenues for research, (c) to encourage research collaborations, and (d) to interest doctoral students in this topic. To facilitate the discussion during the working group meetings, we provide an overview of mathematical habits of mind, …

Grades 7-8 Solving Equations, Joseph Kalata

Math

This is a math lesson for middle school students on solving equations. Through this lesson students will be able to find a single answer from multiple algebra equations, be able to create visual representations to illustrate a system of equations, and understand the concept that similar figures may have different sizes. This lesson spans over a fourteen day period where students apply math knowledge to an architect project. The students are tiered by ability.

Assessing Problem-Solving Dispositions: Likelihood-To-Act Survey, Kien Lim, Osvaldo Morera, Mourat Tchoshanov

Departmental Papers (Math)

This paper reports an ongoing study that is aimed at developing an instrument for measuring two particular problem-solving dispositions: (a) impulsive disposition refers to students’ proclivity to spontaneously proceed with an action that comes to mind, and (b) analytic disposition refers to the tendency to analyze the problem situation. The instrument is under development and consists of likelihood-to-act items in which participants indicate on a scale of 1 to 5 how likely they are to take a particular action in a given situation. The instrument was administered to 318 college students, mainly pre-service teachers. Statistical analysis indicates that likelihood-to-act items …

Education In The Environment: A Strategy For Continued Interagency Outdoor Education Programming: Quarterly Progress Report: Period Ending August 31, 2009, Environmental Education Strategy For Nevada

Reports (PLI Education)

Highlights of the university’s focused efforts during the past three months include the following:

• Evaluation results from the NEEI Certification program will be presented at the North American Association for Environmental Education National Conference on October 9-10, 2009.
• A grant was received from the Nevada Community Foundation for the printing of The Story of Gill graphic novel.
• A total of 75 people participated in Families in Nature events at the Spring Mountains and Lake Mead National Recreation Areas.
• A third Nevada Environmental Education & Interpretation Certification program was held August 12-18, 2009 for twelve participants.
• A third Our Places Tell …

The Language Of Mathematics: Virginia Standards Of Learning Mathematical Pictionary For Grades K-3., Amanda Rashelle Collins-Browning

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

My experience teaching in Virginia schools, pacing and aligning instruction to the Virginia Standards of Learning, caused me to recognize the need for a mathematics tool to simplify and transition K-3 mathematics vocabulary usage and instruction. The language of mathematics uses three linguistic tools: words, symbols, and diagrams. Within this thesis I developed an instructional tool, a "Mathematics Pictionary", to accommodate primary grades K-3 and transition mathematical language and vocabulary skills between the primary grades aligned to the instruction and guidelines of the Virginia Standards of Learning. The Pictionary may be used coherently with lesson plans, available from the Virginia …

A Case Study Of Culturally Responsive Teaching In Middle School Mathematics, Rosanne Fulton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a case study of culturally responsive teaching in middle school mathematics. The study contributes to the emerging definition of learning experiences in mathematics that support all middle school students through the use of culturally responsive teaching strategies. These experiences are organized to actualize the balance between accommodating the individual student’s culture, needs and interests and supporting the attainment of appropriate mathematics learning goals.

The research site was chosen because of its diverse and changing student demographics, and because of the achievement and growth rates of these students. Data collected from classroom observations of three middle school mathematics …

Exploring Teacher Perceptions Of Influential Facilitators Of Elementary Mathematics Professional Development: A Mixed Methods Investigation, Sandra Linder

All Dissertations

This dissertation examines the role of the facilitator in elementary mathematics professional development. An exploratory sequential mixed methods design was utilized to answer the central research question: How do United States elementary school teachers perceive an influential facilitator of elementary mathematics professional development (EMPD)? Phase one of this study explored teacher perceptions through a phenomenological design, which informed the second phase of the study, the implementation of a survey instrument to elementary school mathematics teachers on a larger scale. This dissertation is divided into six chapters. Chapter One presents a rationale for examining the role of the facilitator in professional …

Manipulatives In Mathematics Instruction, Jessica Strom

Mathematics Graduate Theses

This paper is a review of research pertaining to the use of manipulatives in middle and secondary school mathematics instruction. It covers the research on the rationale for using manipulatives, the psychology behind learning with manipulatives, the common mistakes when teaching with manipulatives, and the suggested process to follow when using manipulatives in the classroom. There is a large amount of research and information on manipulatives in the classroom. One of the most prevalent topics addresses that the concrete characteristics of manipulatives allow students to progress through a natural learning process on their way to an abstract understanding of mathematical …

Utilizing Centers To Enhance My Instruction And Students' Understanding Of Math Concepts, Samantha Rowelle Darden

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Anyone who listens to the news hears many negative comments on the status of education in the United States today. Many say that our standards and the quality of our education have declined. We have fallen behind European and Asian countries. Our requirements and expectations have been lowered. Yet, we have never stepped back to assess what has changed and why. If we had to point to one detail to provide insight into what has changed, we would name the internet. We would call the technology explosion in the 21st century a “singularity”; an event that changes things so fundamentally …

Implementing Differentiated Strategies During Math Instruction, Jessica Cavaleri

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

In any elementary school classroom there are students with different abilities, learning styles, and personalities. Teachers need to find a successful way to individualize their teaching in order to benefit every child in the class. I designed this action research study to study the implementation of differentiated strategies in my third grade classroom at Riker Hill Elementary in Livingston, New Jersey. My class consists of 22 students during Math instruction. I studied the use of differentiated instructional techniques through the implementation of specific strategies, including group work, attending to multiple learning styles, and the use of centers. I implemented the …

Increasing Student Motivation To Become A Successful Industrial Engineer, Danielle Lanigan

All Theses

This paper explores the use of the VIE theory of Motivation in the field of Industrial Engineering Education. This work focuses on two different populations of students, college students who have chosen Industrial Engineering as a major and middle school students with a predisposition toward engineering. To start, we used a mixed methods sequential explanatory study to learn more about Clemson University department of Industrial Engineering students. Quantitatively, the study found that differences exist among different subsets of Industrial Engineering students. Female students have a higher motivation than male students do, and students with university sponsored project experience have a …

A Computational Study Of The Effects Of Temperature Variation On Turtle Egg Development, Sex Determination, And Population Dynamics, Amy L. Parrott

Department of Mathematics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Climate change and its effects on ecosystems is a major concern. For certain animal species, especially those that exhibit what is known as temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), temperature variations pose a possibly serious threat (Valenzuela and Lance, 2004). In these species, temperature, and not chromosomes, determines the sex of the animal (Valenzuela and Lance, 2004). It is conceivable therefore, that if the temperature changes to favor only one sex, then dire consequences for their populations could occur. In this dissertation, we examine possible effects that climate change may have upon Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta), a species with TSD. We investigate …