Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

An Introduction To Using Geographic Information Systems (Gis) In The Classroom, Lisa K. Millsaps

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

This interactive session will focus on examples of using GIS in multiple K-12 classroom setting, including but not limited to teaching climate change, history, natural hazards, and literature. Geographic information systems, or GIS, is an online mapping tool, used globally in a variety of professions (e.g., emergency management, city planning, engineering, scientific labs) – that is accessible and beneficial to use in the K-12 classroom! GIS helps us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret real data to understand relationships, patterns, and trends. Participants will not only walk through a demonstration of GIS’ use and potential, they will partake in and practice …

Augmented Reality Chemistry: Transforming 2d Molecular Representations Into Interactive 3d Structures, Derek Behmke, David Kerven, Robert Lutz, Julia Paredes, Richard Pennigton, Evelyn Brannock, Michael Deiters, John Rose, Kevin Stevens

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

Spatial reasoning is defined as the ability to generate, retain, and manipulate abstract visual images. In chemistry, spatial reasoning skills are typically taught using 2-D paper-based models, 3-D handheld models, and computerized models. Research has shown that increased spatial reasoning abilities translate directly to improved content knowledge. The recent explosion in the popularity of smartphones and the development of augmented reality apps for them provide, a yet to be explored, way of teaching spatial reasoning skills to chemistry students. Augmented reality apps utilize the camera on a smartphone to turn 2D paper-based molecular models into 3D models the user can …

Content And Instructional Practice: A Msp Project, Donna Mullenax, Janel Smith Dr.

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

Since October 2016, Armstrong Faculty have been working with SCCPSS teachers through an MSP-funded project. The CIP project focuses on math and science in 5th, 6th, and 8th grades. Design and implementation of the project will be discussed. Mid-project results will be presented, along with plans for Year 2.

Using Active Learning Strategies In Calculus To Improve Student Learning And Influence Mathematics Department Cultural Change, Melissa A. Dagley, Xin Li, Brian Moore, Erin Saitta, Jacquelyn Chini, Michele Gill

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

An interdisciplinary team of Physics, Education, Math and Chemistry faculty developed MATH-GAINS (Growing as Adaptive INstructors) creating an ecosystem where Mathematics faculty persistently and sustainably apply active learning strategies in their teaching of Calculus courses. As a result of implementation, MATH-GAI NS proposed to positively affect the wide-spread adaptation of active learning strategies by department faculty as well as student learning, retention and graduation of over 900 students annually. The objective of the session is to provide attendees details on: how the project was conceived and implemented, instruments, research methodologies and active learning strategies used, examples …

Visualizing Geometrical Counterexamples Using Digital Tools, Tuyin An, Ha Nguyen

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

In my study about pre-service secondary mathematics teachers’ (PSMTs) understanding about the nature of theorems in geometry, I noticed that it was challenging for the PSMTs to visualize and draw counterexamples to disprove the given mathematical statements. The use of the dragging feature of some digital tools, such as The Geometer’s Sketchpad (GSP), in teaching and learning proof and reasoning has been widely discussed and become an ongoing research trend. In this conference session presentation, I will introduce the background of the use of dragging feature in dynamic geometry environment and present two examples showing how this feature could be …

Integrating Lego Robotics Into A 5th Grade Cross Curricular Unit To Promote The Development Of Narrative Writing Skills, Shelli L. Casler-Failing, Mete Akcaoglu, Valerie Woodrum, Valerie Morris, Jay Mcneely

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

This unit was designed to promote the development of narrative writing skills among 5^th grade students through the use of LEGO robotics. The students learned how to construct and program robots, write and present a proposal to complete a mission, and connected the learning to their personal experiences with Hurricane Irma. After learning the basics of building and programming robots, they were presented with a scenario similar to the impact of the bomb drop in Hiroshima – a city in ruins with survivors in need of supplies. Students took the role of engineers to work in pairs to create …

Using Creative Writing To Facilitate Science Learning, Alma D. Stevenson, Ph.D, Lacey D. Huffling, Ph.D

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

This session will be led by a literacy educator and a science educator, who worked collaboratively to create, implement, and refine science lessons during a week-long summer program for middle grade (6^th – 8^th) migrant students. The presenters created culturally responsive NGSS lessons that were infused with multiple literacy strategies culminating in a creative writing, where students incorporated the vocabulary and concepts learned, using storyboarding and Google Slides.

Participants will engage in the mini-lesson and have a brief discussion on the components of the lessons based on NGSS, culturally responsive teaching, and literacy integration. Examples of student …

Selecting, Sequencing, And Connecting: Using Technology To Support Area Measurement Through Tasks, Strategies, And Discussion, Eryn M. Stehr, Ha Nguyen, Jia He

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

This session supports grades 3-5 mathematics teachers and coaches in considering how technology in the classroom can be used to support "low threshold, high ceiling" tasks and productive discussion. In this session, participants will interact with and share resulting strategies from an online task designed to: be open to multiple levels of strategies, reveal misconceptions, and support students in developing more sophisticated conceptual understandings of area measurement. We will present a sampling of strategies created by teachers (who were pretending to be elementary students) in past activities. Participants will select and sequence these strategies to align with chosen learning outcomes. …

Strategies For Improving Stem Education; Pathways To Institutional Transformation, Myles Boylan

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

Presenter will provide

Assessment Of Practice-Focused Middle School Science Modules, Sunni H. Newton, Jessica Gale, Meltem Alemdar, Stefanie Wind

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

AMP-IT-UP is an NSF-funded K-12 program intended to promote math, science, and engineering learning through STEM integration-focused curricula. As part of this program, one-week modules were designed to teach specific science practices within the context of the appropriate grade-level content. Nine science modules were created, one focused on each practice (practices are data visualization, experimental design, and data-driven decision making) at grade levels 6, 7, and 8. In this presentation, we will focus on our assessment of the implementation of these modules across four middle schools during the 2016-2017 academic year. We will present our methodology for assessing this complex …

Fostering Pre-Service Teachers' Understanding Of Basic Arithmetic Principles, Veena Paliwal

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

Arithmetic properties (commutative, associative, distributive, identity, and inverse) provide one of the most critical avenues to higher-level thinking and conceptual understanding. The present study was designed to promote understanding and use of arithmetic properties among sixty-five pre-service teachers enrolled in two Foundations of Numbers and Operations classes. The intervention employed involved using various models to promote conceptual understanding of the arithmetic properties and use them as a problem-solving tool while identifying any possible misconceptions. A pretest-posttest design was employed. The results revealed that the intervention was effective in promoting understanding of the commutative, associative, identity, and inverse properties, and was …

Using Google Forms To Inform Teaching Practices, Ha Nguyen Dr., Heidi Eisenreich Dr., Eryn Stehr Dr.

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

Do you need a quick way to assess your student learning and identify misconceptions? Are you tired of collecting and/or grading papers? Google Forms can help, especially with some newly added features such as checkbox grids, intelligent response validation, and automatic grading. Through interactive activities during this talk, participants will hear about several uses of Google Forms to gather data, engage student learning, and create and score assessments. Additionally, participants will learn how to shorten an URL link with a desired name and generate a QR code for instant access to the link. This session can be beneficial to all …

The Effects Of Integrating Lego Robotics Into A Mathematics Curriculum To Promote The Development Of Proportional Reasoning, Shelli L. Casler-Failing

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

This mixed methods, action research case study sought to investigate the effects of incorporating LEGO robotics into a seventh-grade mathematics curriculum focused on the development of proportional reasoning through the lens of Social Constructivist Theory. Quantitative data was collected via a pre- and post-test from the mathematics class of six students. Qualitative data was collected from each of the students as they worked in groups of two to complete purposefully designed investigations and activities, from whole class discussions, and student artifacts. The quantitative analysis showed development of proportional reasoning skills with the greatest increase being from low-performing students. The qualitative …

An Exploration Of Climate Change In The K-12 Classroom, Lisa K. Millsaps

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

Have you ever wondered how climate change is being taught and portrayed in the school age classroom? How current science is being translated and used to teach the next generation? This work explores the studies of climate change education occurring in North America. It is seeking to understand the educational methods and content foci being suggested as reliable practices in climate change education through the use of a qualitative analysis of academic literature on teaching climate change. Findings summarize how climate change is being taught, what recommendations are being made, and identifies opportunities for growth, and other possible concerns.

Putting Lab Into Lecture, Samantha Lee Russell

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

Engineering classes at any level are separated into two separate components, lecture and lab. Often these two classes have little to no direct relationship, being taught by two different instructors with different objectives. Students struggle to see the relationship between the theory from lecture and the applications in lab. To bridge the gap, lab must be brought into the lecture. Students must experience the theory by building, measuring, and exploring the concepts. Instructors can bring these experiences into the classroom by breaking labs up into smaller activities that are closely related to the theory. This is not to say that …

Make Learning Meaningful With Interdisciplinary Lessons, Michele Dodge, Phil Dodge

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

The workshop activities are centered around the Middle Child, grades 4-8. Participants will experience and plan for interdisciplinary lessons. These lessons include Science and Technology along with other disciplines. Examples include but not limited to integration of Literacy and Science, and Social Studies and Science and Technology. Participants will participate as a learner with hands on activities, then will follow up with generating lesson plans of their own. Participants will leave with clear understanding of what it takes to bring an interdisciplinary lesson to the next level, and then implement it in their own classroom in a meaningful way that …

Stem Conference 2018, Institute For Interdisciplinary Stem Education, Georgia Southern University

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

Conference Program

The Effects Of Integrating Lego Robotics Into A Mathematics Curriculum To Promote The Development Of Proportional Reasoning, Shelli L. Casler-Failing

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference (2017-2019)

A mixed methods, action research case study was conducted to investigate the effects of incorporating LEGO robotics into a seventh-grade mathematics curriculum focused on the development of proportional reasoning through the lens of Social Constructivist Theory. This study applied students’ prior knowledge of the distance, rate, and time formula as they used LEGO EV3 robots to calculate the rate of a robot. The information gained was applied to different iterations, and structures, of the formula to support the development of proportional reasoning skills. The purposefully designed lessons were integral to the development of the students’ understanding of the proportionality existing …

Getting Students To Think Critically And Visibly, Alanna Bowie

Becoming: Journal of the Georgia Association for Middle Level Education

Students can sometimes find the classroom to be an uncomfortable environment; hence, it can be difficult to persuade them to voice their thinking in front of their peers. Students’ fear of accidentally recalling incorrect answers in a classroom setting may set a domino effect of instant ridicule from their classmates, which can consequentially inhibit many of them from participating in future classroom discourse. To reduce fears, educators should foster an environment of support that encourages students to think visibly and more critically. The purpose of this article is to explore the literature, which suggests an environment that promotes creative learning …

From Worldviews To Classrooms: Framing Evolution Acceptance In Pre-Service Science Teachers In The Southeastern United States, Amanda Glaze

Georgia Educational Researcher

Research demonstrates that teachers' acceptance or rejection of evolution impacts whether they teach evolution in their classrooms. Furthermore, factors such as religiosity and nature of science understanding impact acceptance or rejection. What is absent from the literature is an exploration of experiences that inform choices made regarding acceptance or rejection, experiences that illuminate the counter-intuitive relationships demonstrated in quantitative studies. For this reason, we explore the lived experiences that inform the worldviews of Pre-Service Secondary Science Teachers (PSSTs) and how those worldviews might inform their acceptance or rejection of evolution. Coding and pattern analysis informed themes within the data explaining …

Stem Certification In Georgia’S Schools: A Causal Comparative Study Using The Georgia Student Growth Model, David E. Proudfoot, Ed.D., Michael Green, Ph.D., Jan W. Otter, Ph.D., David L. Cook, Ed.D.

Georgia Educational Researcher

The increase in demand for college and career ready students has driven the need for education reform to ensure K–12 schools can support student learning across all content areas and grade levels. A STEM Certification process was established by the Georgia Department of Education as part of an effort to reform public school STEM education. Additionally, an international STEM Certification procedure developed by AdvancED has been implemented in several Georgia schools. As a significant component of STEM certification guidelines, problem based learning has been incorporated to stimulate student interest in science, facilitate self-regulation, and increase pedagogical and content knowledge. As …

Encouraging Teacher Candidates To Cultivate Habits Of Reflection, Amanda Wall

Becoming: Journal of the Georgia Association for Middle Level Education

The conceptual framework for the College of Education at Georgia Southern University is: Reflective Practitioners for a Diverse World. Three of the five Middle Level Teacher Preparation Standards from the Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE, 2012) also specify reflection as a habit. Standard 5 on Middle Level Professional Roles, for example, states: “Middle level teacher candidates understand, reflect on, and are successful in their unique roles as middle level professionals.” In order for teacher candidates to become reflective, they need multiple opportunities to engage in reflection.

Online Teaching Module: Council For The Accreditation Of Educator Preparation (Caep) Key Assessment Example, Stacie K. Pettit, Susan Edwards

Becoming: Journal of the Georgia Association for Middle Level Education

The Augusta University Online Teaching Module is a key assessment administered once during one specified course in each educator preparation program. Augusta University teacher candidates are required to show proficiency in ISTE standards and CAEP standard 1.5. The online teaching model measures candidates’ ability to apply technology standards in order to design, implement, and assess learning experiences to engage students and improve learning. In order to pass the Online Teaching Module, candidates must score 3 out of 4 possible points on at least five of the six indicators. If a candidate does not pass this assessment, goals will be created …

Augmented Reality Chemistry: Transforming 2-D Molecular Representations Into Interactive 3-D Structures, Derek Behmke, David Kerven, Robert Lutz, Julia Paredes, Richard Pennington, Evelyn Brannock, Michael Deiters, John Rose, Kevin Stevens

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference (2017-2019)

Spatial reasoning is defined as the ability to generate, retain, and manipulate abstract visual images. In chemistry, spatial reasoning skills are typically taught using 2-D paper-based models, 3-D handheld models, and computerized models. These models are designed to aid student learning by integrating information from the macroscopic, microscopic, and symbolic domains of chemistry. Research has shown that increased spatial reasoning abilities translate directly to improved content knowledge. The recent explosion in the popularity of smartphones and the development of augmented reality apps for them provide, a yet to be explored, way of teaching spatial reasoning skills to chemistry students. Augmented …

Cover, Editors' Note And Table Of Contents, Lisa K. Millsaps

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference (2017-2019)

Cover, editors' note, and table of contents for volume 2 of the Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference.

Selecting, Sequencing, And Connecting: Using Technology To Support Area Measurement Through Tasks, Strategies, And Discussion, Eryn M. Stehr, Jia He, Ha Nguyen

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference (2017-2019)

This paper supports grades 3-5 mathematics teachers and considers how technology in the classroom can be used to support "low threshold, high ceiling" tasks and productive discussion. We present a description of a card-sorting task to support the “5 Practices of Productive Mathematics Discussions” focused on an online task designed to: be open to multiple levels of strategies, reveal misconceptions, and support students in developing more sophisticated conceptual understandings of area measurement. We present a sampling of strategies created by teachers (who were pretending to be elementary students) in past activities. We discuss approaches to connecting strategies for deeper understanding …

Integrating Lego Robotics Into A 5th Grade Cross Curricular Unit To Promote The Development Of Narrative Writing Skills, Shelli L. Casler-Failing

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference (2017-2019)

This paper describes a unit designed to promote the development of narrative writing skills among 5^th grade students through the use of LEGO robotics. Over the course of four, two and one-half hour sessions (one day per week for four consecutive weeks), the students learned how to construct and program robots, write and present a proposal to complete a mission, and connected the learning to their personal experiences with Hurricane Irma. The students began the activity with prior knowledge of World War II and Hiroshima. After learning the basics of building and programming robots, they were presented with a …

Using Active Learning Strategies In Calculus To Improve Student Learning And Influence Mathematics Department Cultural Change, Melissa A. Dagley, Michele Gill, Erin Saitta, Brian Moore, Jacquelyn Chini, Xin Li

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference (2017-2019)

An interdisciplinary team of physics, education, math and chemistry faculty developed MATH-GAINS (Growing as Adaptive INstructors) creating an ecosystem where mathematics faculty persistently and sustainably apply active learning strategies in their teaching of calculus courses. As a result of implementation, MATH-GAI NS proposed to positively affect the wide-spread adaptation of active learning strategies by department faculty as well as student learning, retention and graduation of over 900 students annually. The objective of this paper is to provide details on how the project was conceived and implemented; instruments, research methodologies and active learning strategies used; and examples of faculty projects and …

Deepening Place Value Understanding In K-2 Through Explanation And Justification, Andria Disney, Heidi Eisenreich

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference (2017-2019)

This paper seeks to describe the importance of using the context of a candy shop and how focusing on discourse can deepen place value understanding in the base ten number system. Using the language of pieces (ones), rolls (tens), and boxes (hundreds) helps situate place value in a familiar context for K-2 students. Best practice in mathematics instruction is also addressed, including examining the progression of learning for place value concepts, using effective tools to support place value learning, and using explanation and justification to help students deepen their understanding of place value. The authors focus not only on content …

Graph It Out! Create Graphing Manipulatives To Explore Evolutionary Selection: A Lesson For High School Biology Students, Cassie Lawrimore, Emily A. Surber

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference (2017-2019)

Students often struggle with the relationship between mathematical graphs and the data they represent. To truly understand types of evolutionary selection, students need to be proficient with several different skills in math, science, and literacy contexts. With math, students must be able to identify variables, design appropriate graphs based on those variables, and convert data to graphical format. With science, students must be able to relate identified variables to scientific classifications and interpret those classifications based on evaluation of the scenarios presented. With literacy, students must be able to comprehend, dissect, and interpret a given passage. This presentation provides a …