Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Black Women Science Teachers’ Contextual Knowledge Shapes Technology Integration To Support Culturally Responsive Teaching In Secondary Science Classrooms, Ashley M. Thomas

Dissertations

The number of Black and Brown high school students entering college to study science and technology majors is declining. Because they encounter shared intersectional experiences in the science and technology fields, Black women have a unique connection with their students that builds on teaching practices grounded in culturally responsive teaching (CRT). The mixed methods study was bounded to one school district that had a CRT initiative and provided training to its teachers. The study used a pre-validated survey regarding the perceptions of CRT in a technology-supported learning environment and identified the tools and practices Black female science teachers (BFSTs) use …

Constructing Female High School Students’ Stem Self-Efficacy: The Role Of High School Stem Research Experiences, Hyunjin Son

Dissertations

In the U.S., nearly a quarter of the workforce is employed in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations. However, the STEM workforce lacks diversity, limiting perspectives to address real-world problems facing society. While many factors influence decisions to pursue STEM majors in college and enter the STEM workforce, one factor commonly associated with performance and persistence in STEM is STEM self-efficacy. Independent research experiences have been shown to increase conceptual understanding and confidence in STEM, leading to STEM degrees and careers. As high school co-curricular STEM research opportunities become more common, the effects of such experiences on students’ STEM …

Asm And A Culture Of Sharing, Caring, And Fun In Education, David J. Westenberg

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

One doesn't always equate a professional scientific society with sharing, caring, and fun, but in this age of public distrust, public engagement with science and active student learning are ways to regain trust. ASM holds a leadership position in promoting and recognizing the value of education in the future of our profession and is there to support your educational journey. From K12 outreach and public engagement, to professional development, to presenting and publishing scholarship of teaching and learning, ASM has been at the forefront of biology education. Under the leadership of visionary directors such as Amy Chang and now Irene …

The Impact Of Using History On Learning In Physics Laboratory Settings, Patrick W. Clouse

Dissertations

Integrating History of Science (HOS) into science courses has many benefits. Students demonstrate improved scientific content knowledge, develop their understanding of Nature of Science (NOS), and improve their attitudes towards science. However, barriers prevent instructors from effectively incorporating history into their teaching. The traditions and culture of science instruction, individual teacher attitudes and skills, existing institutional frameworks, and prevailing curricular materials all prevent HOS integration. Preservice teachers may never be exposed to HOS in their science or education courses, meaning they lack experience and knowledge surrounding the benefits of HOS. Therefore, alternative avenues for effective integration should be considered to …

The Czechoslovak Way Of Competing For Better Mathematics In 1950s, Petra Antošová

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

In the period after World War II, many significant changes took place in Czechoslovakia. This paper focuses on the changes that were taking place in the field of mathematical education. Education, in general, acquired a new structure as a response to the school reform of 1948 and subsequent reforms. Great emphasis began to be placed on polytechnic education, of which mathematics was a key part. Teachers sought out ways to find mathematical talents and to excite students about mathematics in various ways.This paper focuses on mathematical circles (whether tutoring or inspirational) and other motivational methods such as mathematics competitions that …

Numbers, Patterns, And Memories: Early Experiences Of Mathematicians And Mathematics Education Researchers, Constantinos Xenofontos

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

This paper offers a reflective analysis of early mathematical experiences shared by fifty-six mathematicians and mathematics education researchers, including my own, as part of Cambridge Mathematics’ “Seven Questions with . . . ” interview series. Drawing on thematic analysis, I identify five key patterns across participants’ recollections: the context of early mathematical engagement, the influence of significant others, emotional responses, shifts in mathematical thinking, and mathematics as a social or competitive experience. Many accounts emphasise informal, everyday encounters with mathematics—often preceding formal education—as central to developing interest and confidence in the subject. The findings challenge the notion of innate mathematical …

Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Mathematics Achievement And Problem-Solving Ability: Insights From Secondary Schools In India, Laishram Nirtish Singh, Anand Jyoti Sanasam, Jocyline Thokchom, Ningombam Cha Cogent, Laisom Sharmeswar Singh

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted students’ engagement with mathematics. This study aims to contribute to our understanding of the extent of this disrupting by examining differences in mathematics achievement and problem-solving ability between adjacent cohorts who learned Class 8 under different schooling conditions in India: Group A (pandemic-exposed Class 8 cohort) and Group B (post-reopening Class 8 cohort). Using a descriptive design in a natural setting, we selected a stratified sample of 1,200 students from Class 9 and Class 10 across 21 secondary schools in Manipur, India. The sample was stratified by gender, family type, school type, and locality to ensure …

D2.02 Game Demonstration: Adventures With Emmy, W. Brian Lane, Patrick Morgan, Cristo Leon

10mo Coloquio Internacional de Estudios sobre Juegos de Rol

Demo of Adventures with Emmy, a STEM tabletop RPG supporting inquiry, collaboration, and interdisciplinary learning through structured play. This demo will be presented in English in a pressential format.

Game development, playtesting, and research supported by NSF 251702.

A Professional Development Course On Data-Driven Dynamical Systems At A Primarily Undergraduate Institution - Part B: Professional Development Framework And Institutional Implementation, Alessandro M. Selvitella, Jeffrey R. Anderson

CODEE Journal

This paper presents the professional-development and institutional-implementation component of a three-paper program on introducing data-driven dynamical systems into undergraduate ordinary differential equations instruction at a primarily undergraduate institution. The companion paper \cite{SelvitellaAnderson2026} develops the mathematical and computational content, including regression, regularization, Dynamic Mode Decomposition, Sparse Identification of Nonlinear Dynamics, and a Van der Pol oscillator activity. The present paper asks a complementary implementation question: what departmental structures, graduate teaching assistant roles, professional-development activities, and course-support pathways are needed for such materials to become teachable within local undergraduate settings?

We describe a three-phase professional-development model for graduate teaching assistants in the …

Surveying First-Year Stem Students’ Self-Reported Knowledge, Skills, And Attitudes Towards Teamwork, Gregory R. Goldsmith, Camilla Acosta

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The ability to work in a team is cited as a key outcome for many undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs, both as a method for improving learning and as a highly desired trait for employers. Despite a growing focus on teamwork, our ability to design appropriate teamwork curriculum is limited by our poor understanding of what students arriving at university know about teamwork, what teamwork skills they consider themselves to possess, and their attitudes towards teamwork. We delivered a mixed-methods survey to first-year STEM undergraduate students (n = 205) to benchmark knowledge, skills and attitudes towards …

Cipropad Learning Model To Improve Elementary School Students’ Hots In Geometry, Ria J. Salman, Heris Hendriana, Masta Hutajulu

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The latest digital technology developments demand innovative learning models that are able to integrate active learning approaches, problem-solving, and digital collaborative platforms. This study aims to develop a CIPROPAD (Circuit Learning, Problem-Based-Learning, Padlet) learning model designed to improve students' HOTS. This study uses the Borg and Gall R&D method which includes the stages of needs analysis, model design, initial product development, expert validation, limited trials, revisions, and field trials. The research subjects consisted of 74 elementary school students divided into experimental and control groups. The research instruments used included expert validation sheets, HOTS tests, student activity observation sheets, and student …

The Role Of Perceived Academic And Peer Support In Mitigating Imposter Syndrome Among Adhd Students, Eden Morley Dr

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in higher education is associated with significant executive functioning deficits and performance inconsistencies. These challenges, alongside heightened rejection sensitivity, may predispose students to the Imposter Phenomenon (IP)—the persistent belief that one’s success is undeserved. While social and academic supports are known to buffer psychological distress, their specific role in mitigating IP within the ADHD student population remains under-researched.

Objectives: This study investigated the severity of IP among undergraduate students with ADHD and examined the protective roles of Perceived Social Support (PSS) and Perceived Academic Support (PAS), while exploring gender as a potential moderator.

Methodology: A cross-sectional …

Sitting Together: How Proximity Impacts The Classroom Success Of Undergraduate Women In Engineering, Cassandra M. Savukinas, Kayla D. Taylor, Ashley Lear

Feminist Pedagogy

Despite increased efforts, the engineering field remains predominantly male, particularly within higher education environments. Seating arrangements in the classroom for female undergraduate engineering students can greatly impact their comfort, participation, and academic performance in the classroom. In a 2025 study, it was found that male and female students have differing experiences related to comfort, participation, and academic performance when seated near other students of the same gender (Savukinas et al., 2025). Faculty can help students succeed by understanding how seating dynamics impact students’ experiences in the classroom. By allowing students to choose their own seating arrangements and creating interactions in …

Comparable Outcomes, Divergent Learning Pathways: Comparing Metacognitive Reflection And Practice Problems In Organic Chemistry, Jitendra D. Belani

College of Life Sciences Faculty Papers

Organic Chemistry I presents significant challenges for students, requiring both conceptual understanding and effective study strategies. Two commonly used approaches to support learning are structured practice problems and metacognitive reflection activities; however, these strategies are rarely compared directly within the same course context. In this study, students enrolled in a postbaccalaureate Organic Chemistry I course (n = 31) were randomly assigned to one of two low-stakes interventions: weekly practice problem sets or structured reflection surveys focused on study strategies. Student performance was evaluated using three midterm examinations, a cumulative final exam, and overall course grades, along with measures of participation. …

Using “You” As A Subject In Biology Assessment Questions: Examining Student Preferences For Second-Person Framing, Noelle Clark, Kate Hill, Jeremy L. Hsu

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

In college biology courses, exams and quizzes are often used to assess students’ knowledge and performance. Since assessments are a crucial part of biology classes, there has been a wide range of work examining how assessment questions are written, revealing that small changes in how such questions are worded may have large impacts on students’ reading comprehension and performance. One aspect that instructors consider when writing a question is subject framing, i.e., which individual, if any, is being placed as the focal point of the question. In this study, we focus on the following subject framings, an authentic scientist, a …

Assessing Digital Collaborative Skills Among Pre-Service Elementary Teachers: Initial Instrument Evidence And Demographic Differences, Candra Utama, Aynin Mashfufah, Esti Untari, Sofia Haratee

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Digital collaboration skills are an important competence for prospective elementary school teachers as 21^st-century learning demands the ability to use technology to work on a team, to communicate and share responsibilities, and to reflect on the learning process. This study aims to analyze evidence of the instrument initial validity, reliability, collaborative skill profile, and score differences based on the demographic characteristics of pre-service elementary teachers after participating in digital-based collaborative learning. The research uses a post-implementation evaluative quantitative approach sourced from a digital collaborative learning research design in the fourth-semester of elementary school teacher education study program at …

Coupled-Pendulum Modeling In An Ode Class: An Assignment On Fourier-Initialized Gradient Descent In Machine Learning, Huy Truong, Andrew Bennett

CODEE Journal

As data-driven methods are increasingly used in science and engineering, students benefit from learning to integrate machine learning techniques with traditional mathematical modeling. We present a hands-on extra-credit assignment for an undergraduate ordinary differential equations (ODE) course that enables students to compare classical analytical methods with data-driven approaches on the same physical system. Using a coupled-pendulum system---two pendulums connected by a spring---with real experimental data acquired via video tracking of a real physical setup, students work through three models in a guided Jupyter notebook with all code provided. First, they fit a neural network with Fourier features as a purely …

How Leadership Can Support Inquiry-Based Learning In Myp Mathematics, Paul A. Thompson

Graduate Teacher Education

This literature review examined the research question: “How can instructional leadership prepare IB MYP Mathematics teachers to implement inquiry-based learning (IBL) effectively?” The review defined IBL within the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB MYP), then explored how inquiry in the MYP was designed to promote better student outcomes in conceptual understandings, interdisciplinary learning, and real-life connections. The role of the MYP Coordinator (MYP), the pedagogical leader of this program, is central to answering the questions that focus on leadership. The literature also examined the benefits and barriers of implementing inquiry-based mathematics instruction. The findings suggested that effective IBL improves …

A Differential Equation–Based Epidemiological Model Of Post-Operative Chronic Pain In Scoliosis Patients With Data-Driven Analysis, Paige Zhu, Padmanabhan Seshaiyer

CODEE Journal

Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is a common and often overlooked complication following surgical correction of idiopathic scoliosis, impacting long-term patient wellbeing despite improvements in surgical outcomes. This project introduces a novel epidemiological framework to model the progression of CPSP using a compartmental structure. By applying a coupled system of nonlinear differential equations, we simulate pain trajectories over time and assess the effectiveness of surgical interventions. The model is implemented for a single-cohort population and extended to a two-cohort design to compare outcomes between Posterior Spinal Fusion (PSIF) and Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) procedures. Further stratification by patient age enables us …

Highly Confident But Slightly Uncertain: A Long Overdue Reinvention Of The School Scientific Method, Teaching - Volume 4, Stephen Demeo

Publications and Research

In Volume 4, the last book of the series, I continue the argument for greater parity between conceptual knowledge—the "what" of science—and methodological knowledge—the "how" of science—but in the context of teacher instruction. To this end, two literature reviews are presented: One on how students build confidence, specifically regarding the reliability or consistency of measurement or results, and the other on scientific uncertainty. Research studies focusing on student misconceptions are summarized and organized from the elementary to the college level. These literature reviews describe invaluable ways for teachers to improve their instruction, while providing examples of experiments that can be …

A Proposed Typology Of Nos Empirical Research: Trends And Implications, Maryam Saberi, Noushin Nouri, William F. Mccomas

Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications

Nature of Science (NOS) is a vital school subject with extensive publication record including results from many empirical investigations. This project examined the range, nature, and trends in empirical NOS studies from six major science education research journals over a recent 25-year period with additional recent data. Using systematic literature review techniques (SLR) and subsequent qualitative methods, we developed a comprehensive typology of empirical NOS articles. Ten categories emerged: Teaching NOS to students; Teaching NOS to teachers; Teachers’ NOS classroom practices and knowledge transfer; NOS assessment development and application; Analyses of textbooks and science curricula; Relationships between NOS knowledge and …

Trattato Dell’Alcibra Amuchabile (Anonimo): A Guided Translation, Gary Towsley, Olympia Nicodemi

Geneseo Authors

The Trattato dell’Alcibra Amuchabile is a pre-modern algebra text from c. 1365. It is written in a Tuscan dialect of Italian and is situated in the abbacus school tradition, schools that taught the mathematics needed for a mercantile society. Like all the algebra written in Italy at the time, it was inherited from al-Khwarizmi and, like his, written with no symbols—no x’s, y’s, plus signs, etc. It was what is sometimes called “rhetorical algebra.”  There is very little source  material available in English from this important era in the history of algebra. This book helps fill that gap. …

Toward A Didactical Phenomenology For The Completeness Axiom, Sean Larsen, Tenchita Alzaga Elizondo, Kristen Vroom, Stephen Strand Ii

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

The study is part of an instructional design project focused on introductory real analysis. The goal of the project is to develop a theoretically grounded and empirically supported instructional approach that builds on students’ experiences in the calculus sequence to engage them in the reinvention of the rigorous foundations of the calculus. An essential aspect of this foundation is the completeness of the real numbers. Drawing on the didactical phenomenology heuristic from the theory of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME), we conducted an iterative instructional design study focused on the completeness axiom. The work proceeded in two phases. First, we conducted …

Highly Confident But Slightly Uncertain: A Long Overdue Reinvention Of The School Scientific Method, Uncertainty And Error - Volume 3, Stephen Demeo

Publications and Research

Volume 3 explores the essential roles of uncertainty and error in scientific experimentation. It distinguishes between scientific error and scientific uncertainty: Scientific error refers to the difference between an experimental value and an accepted literature value, as well as the difference between data points in an x-y scatter plot and a predicted trendline. Scientific uncertainty, on the other hand, is associated with doubt arising from instrument limitations, variability within a data set, and psychological factors. Human error is set apart as mistakes or blunders, not to be conflated with scientific error.

Of utmost importance to the scientific investigator is the …

Highly Confident But Slightly Uncertain: A Long Overdue Reinvention Of The School Scientific Method, The X - Volume 1, Stephen Demeo

Publications and Research

In Volume 1, I critique the traditional School Scientific Method—an oversimplified, underdeveloped, and short, stepwise process—and argue for a more authentic, detailed, and rigorous approach to experiment-based scientific inquiry in education. I briefly explain the historical roots of the School Scientific Method, its benefits in increasing the exposure of experimental science to the masses, and its limitations in fostering more authentic scientific thinking and experimental practice.

In place of this traditional and problematic method, I introduce a graphic organizer called sciXpsy to foster both big-picture and detailed scientific thinking. The heuristic combines scientific concepts and methodology with the psychology of …

Highly Confident But Slightly Uncertain: A Long Overdue Reinvention Of The School Scientific Method, Confidence - Volume 2, Stephen Demeo

Publications and Research

Focusing on the psychology of empirical science, Volume 2 is an in-depth exploration of how students can build confidence in scientific data. Central to the text are twelve Confidence Indicators, a comprehensive set of approachable strategies and methodologies that help investigators produce, evaluate, and argue for reliable and valid empirical data. They include:

Good (and Ethical) Laboratory Practices

Repetition

Peer Replication/Review

Secondary Tests

Comparisons with Standards

Plots and Patterns

Conceptual Support

External Data Sources

Precision

Accuracy

Checking Calculations

Redesign/What-If Ideas

This volume includes numerous school science experiments that demonstrate how these indicators are applied across a wide range of educational …

Instructional Strategies For Developing Mathematical Critical Thinking Skills In Secondary Education: A Pris-Ma-Based Systematic Review (2015-2025), Friska Ledina Situngkir, Mangaratua Simanjorang

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Mathematical critical thinking skills (MCTS) are essential 21st-century competencies that secondary students must develop. However, prior studies indicate these skills remain underdeveloped due to conventional teaching methods focused on procedural mastery. This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020, synthesized empirical evidence on instructional strategies for fostering MCTS in secondary education. Searches were performed in Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for publications between 2015-2025. From 1,342 records initially retrieved, 28 empirical studies were selected for full analysis. The review identifies five principal strategies: Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL), STEM/STEAM, Project-Based Learning (PjBL), and ethnomathematics. …

Pintarin.Edu Application: Assessment Platform As A Complementary Learning Material For The Teaching Principles And Assessment I And Ii Courses, Hayuni Retno Widarti, Munzil Munzil, Raden Bambang Sumarsono, Richa Nan Maharani, Juwita Karina Pratiwi, Deni Ainur Rokhim

Jurnal Pembelajaran Sains

This study aims to design, develop, and launch the Pintarin.Edu application as a lifelong learning-based assessment medium to support the Principles of Teaching and Assessment I and II courses for prospective professional teachers (PPG) students. The innovation of this research lies in the integration of reflective assessment, continuous feedback, interactive discussion features, automatic post-tests, rubric-based task management, and Classroom Action Research (CAR) progress monitoring in one structured digital platform. This study uses a 4D development model (Define, Design, Develop, Disseminate) which includes needs analysis, feature design and development, product validation and revision, and trial and implementation. Validation was carried out …

Nasa Student Launch Initiative And 4-H Stem Engagement, Kelly Dziak

Journal of Extension

In 4-H programs, youth take the lead as scientists and engineers in their project work. NASA's Student Launch Initiative challenges youth to design and launch high-powered rockets carrying scientific payloads. This competition models the work process of real-world NASA contractors. In 2023 and 2024, the Morris County New Jersey ResistoJets Rocketry 4-H Club competed as the only team representing the 4-H youth development program. This experience intentionally placed youth in authentic roles as scientists, researchers, engineers, and educators. The goals of NASA's Student Launch Initiative and 4-H align to provide a rich learning experience for youth interested in STEM.

Constructing Evidence And Epistemic Agency In Science, Katherine S. Misar

The Language and Literacy Spectrum

This microethnographic discourse analytic study uses an academic literacies theoretical lens to examine how a highly regarded urban high school biology teacher taught students to write from scientific data and positioned of students with epistemic agency using modeling instruction. Drawing on 6 lessons from one instructional unit over the course of two weeks; data sources include audio and video recordings, 30 transcribed literacy events, students’ written work, teacher interviews, case study student interviews, and photos. Participants included an experienced teacher and a student teacher using modeling instruction and 23 “accelerated” biology students in an urban high school. This study addresses …