Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Red Rock Desert Learning Center & Wild Horse And Burro Facility: Public Meeting Psa For Radio/Tv, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Oliver Ranch Project

Text of a public service radio announcement for a meeting about the Red Rock Desert Learning Center.

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: January 17, 2006, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions & Announcements (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from December 6, 2005 Meeting (5 min.)
3. Update on Project Schedule – Michael Reiland (10 min.)
   A. Utilities
   B. Parking
   C. Construction Estimates/Inflation
4. Statement of Work/Request for Information Update – Michael Reiland
   (10 min.)
5. Update on Water Line – Michael Reiland/Las Vegas Valley Water District
   (10 min.)
6. Update on Environmental Assessment – Michael Reiland (10 min.)
7. Update on Curriculum Development – Jeanne Klockow (5 min.)
8. Standing Reports (10 min.)
   A. Line and Space Architects
   B. BLM Capital Improvements – Michael Reiland
   C. Community Outreach – LaNelda Rolley
   --RRDLC Open House, January 26, …

A Study Of Secondary Teachers' Attitudes Toward The Use Of The Graphing Calculator To Prepare For And Perform On The Hspa, Michael Dempsey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research will be to identify the effectiveness of graphing calculators as instructional tools in building the skills needed to demonstrate proficiency on the New Jersey HSPA. To research this topic, teachers from South Jersey high schools were contacted and asked to respond to a survey regarding opinions and observations about the use of the graphing calculator. The survey was created by the researcher in order to investigate how teachers feel graphing calculators influence conceptual understanding of skills tested on the HSPA. The survey will use a Likert scale to measure teacher attitudes about the effect of …

When Is It Time For Science?, Raymond J. Dagenais

Publications & Research

The title of this article begs the question, "When should we be teaching science to our children?"

Even before birth human beings may recognize natural phenomena such as pressure and temperature differences, and spontaneously react to changes in such things. These are learning experiences. It can be argued that as the brain continues to grow and develop, connections are beginning to be formed and subconscious memories created. Information gathered through the senses may be stored in unarticulated patterns in the brain. Here is the foundation for a scientific understanding of nature.

Squeezing In Constructivist Mathematics: A Second Grade Curriculum, Deborah Potvin

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This curriculum consists of a collection of mathematics activities intended to complement a standard second-grade curriculum. The activities within this collection focus on the topics and concepts addressed by a traditional curriculum; however, they allow the students to approach the subject from a slightly different angle. The problems, projects, and games create situations in which students can create their own understanding of numbers.

By providing ready-to-use, well-organized activities designed to promote constructivist learning, this collection aims to make constructivist mathematics accessible to teachers working within a more traditional curriculum. The inspiration for the activities within this curriculum comes from a …

Undergraduates' Use Of Mathematics Textbooks, Bret Benesh, Tim Boester, Aaron Weinberg, Eimilie Wiesner

Mathematics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Rounding Up Students' Conceptions On Circular Motion, Shannon Mclaughlin

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The purpose of this paper is to provide insight on how introducing circular motion with a carefully designed sequence of demonstrations and activities consistent with the national standards, pedagogical knowledge, and research-based instructional practices can flush out students' conceptions of forces and motion, and set a conceptual foundation for understanding uniform circular motion. This article promotes National Science Education Content Standards A, B, and E, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Circuits Without Wires?: Helping Students Understand The Power Of Ions, Elizabeth Potter, Caroline Kelly

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The activity described here provides an inquiry experience using familiar materials to promote student exploration and understanding of ions and ionic compounds. Familiar materials throughout the laboratory help students relate science to the real world and students are able to use their understanding of those materials. This activity uses an inquiry approach that requires students to make more decisions about their experiment, but does not expect students to discover scientific ideas. This article identifies many ways that the nature of science should be incorporated into the learning experience so that students improve their understanding of what science is and how …

Title Page - Table Of Contents

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

The Helping Hand: An Administrator's Role In Encouraging And Supporting Effective Science Teaching, Robert L. Clark

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Science teaching that mentally engages students and promotes all the goals we have for students, including a deep understanding of science content and the nature of science, is extremely difficult. That sort of teaching deviates significantly from the time-honored approaches that have permeated our schools for as long as any of us can remember. Because of that, many institutional constraints exist that make implementing effective science teaching even more difficult. This article addresses the principal's crucial role as an educational leader, the principal's responsibility to encourage and support effective science teaching practices, and efforts made in one building toward these …

Colorblindness: Invisible Disability, John Stiles

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

In nearly every classroom sits at least one student who is unable to distinguish between certain colors. This incurable, genetic, and sex-linked condition is particularly frustrating in science class, a subject in which color discrimination is frequently required. Teachers are often unaware of this invisible disability, which many "colorblind" students try to keep secret in order to avoid embarrassment. There are a number of modifications a science teacher can make to reduce, or in some instances remove, barriers to learning for colorblind students. In addition, a simple, free test may help identify young children who have color difficulties, so they …

Research And Boosting Science Learning: Diagnosis And Potential Solutions, Peter Fensham

2006 - Boosting Science Learning - What will it take?

In this paper I want to draw on relevant research to address the theme of this year’s conference in three ways: 1. The nature of the problem 2. Possible solutions 3. Constraints on these possible solutions

Student Poster Presentations As A Venue For Personal And Professional Growth, Walter S. Borowski

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Student Publications And Presentations In Science – Writing The Abstract As A Model In Teaching Scientific Writing, Walter S. Borowski

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V02n1, Winter 2006, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Message from the Executive Director

--Pare Lorentz Award for Iowa Documentary

--118th Iowa Academy of Science Annual Meeting

--Iowa Summit on Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education

--Iowa Science Teachers Journal

--Considering Reorganizing the IAS Sections

--GLOBE ONE

--Grants & Award Program Announcements

--IAS Honors New Fellows

--Now Accepting 2006 Fellows Nominations

Academic Content Instruction And The High School English Language Learner: A Series Of Lessons That Model An Approach To Content Instruction In Science In A Multi- Level English As A Second Language High School Classroom, Juliet M. Parry

MA TESOL Collection

This paper presents a series of lessons on biology that model an approach to content instruction Biology in a multi-level English as a second language high school classroom. It includes background information on the course, lesson plans, explanation of and rationale behind them, historical perspective on the shift from content instruction in the native language to content instruction in the new or target language.

A New Model Of Evolution Education For Middle School Science, Walter Lee Owen

Theses Digitization Project

Proposes a new model for teaching inquiry and critical thinking in the middle school science classroom. This model will assist students in learning the evidence for evolution for themselves, as well as assisting them in developing skills in critical thinking and inquiry. The objective of this model is to create a more scientifically literate student body who can go on to pursue an even greater understanding of the nature of science.

Addressing Second And Third Grade California Science And Social Science Content Standards Through Environmental Literature, Denise Truex Hatfield

Theses Digitization Project

In response to the federal legislation No Child Left Behind, schools across the country implemented required reading programs for classroom instruction. Open Court's Reading program meets this criterion for many schools. The text in Open Court Reading for grades two and three was evaluated for science and social science content standards that would be supportive of environmental education. Supplemental lessons from Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, and Project WET were identified.

Tools For Teaching Intersession In A Year-Round School, Rebecca Jane Santana

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project was to create a website that would assist teachers who teach intersession at the year round school. The goal is to allow teachers to spend less time on paperwork and focus on what they need to do in order to service their students and help them meet their goals.

Towards A Science Education For All: The Role Of Ideas, Evidence And Argument, Jonathan Osborne

2006 - Boosting Science Learning - What will it take?

This presentation offers a critical analysis of contemporary science education and the values on which it rests. Science education wrestles with two competing priorities: the need to educate the future citizen about science; and the need to provide the basic knowledge necessary for future scientists. It is argued that the evidence would suggest that it is the latter goal that predominates – a goal which exists at least, in part, in conflict with the needs of the majority who will not continue with science post compulsory education. The argument is advanced that there are four essential elements to any science …

A Model For Incrementally Transforming The Science Classroom From Traditional Instruction To Inquiry, Tana Michelle Jerome

Theses Digitization Project

Explores the implementation of inquiry into the science classroom and presents a model for incrementally changing the traditional (behavioralist) instruction found in the science class to inquiry-based (constructivist) instructional strategies.

How Can A Science Educator Incorporate Field Study Into Their Advanced High School Science Courses?, Michael Alexis Apffel

Theses Digitization Project

Organizes information and opportunities for high school level science field work and categorizes it to inform the educator of the field study possibilities. Assists educators in overcoming the obstacles of implementing field science into existing science courses. Several field study lesson plans are provided.

A Culturally And Linguistically Responsive Curriculum For Secondary Biology Teachers, Raquel Georgina Martinez

All Graduate Projects

Research was conducted in the following areas, which help support the need for a culturally and linguistically responsive curriculum for secondary biology teachers. The history of both bilingual education and science, the importance of bilingual education, a summarization of selected bilingual and ESL models, bilingual and science curriculum, supported bilingual research, standardized tests, science and ELL students, and in closing secondary bilingual research. Based on the conducted research, the curriculum was developed utilizing the late-exit bilingual model, preview/review, and the incorporation of the student's culture.

Knowing Versus Understanding: Teaching That Goes Beyond Trivialities, John Stiles

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

In this century of science and technology, it is essential that students learn to critically assess science issues in historical perspectives. The traditional method of teaching students to memorize information bits cannot accomplish the goal of creating a science- and technology-literate public. However, if teachers transform their learning environment into one that encourages and supports student conceptual understanding, not only will graduates be able to make informed decisions regarding science, but numerous studies show that student achievement also increases, often dramatically. This article promotes National Science Education Content Standard A and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 8.

Science Education On The U.S./Mexico Border: Field-Based Studies For Future Teachers In Bilingual/Binational Schools, William Robertson, Judith Munter, Claudia Garcia

Selected Works Temporary Series

The University of Texas at El Paso’s field-based program of studies for future teachers provides opportunities for powerful learning through a dialectical union of reflection and action. Methods courses in academic disciplines are linked with seminars and coursework on community partnerships, critical pedagogy and culturally responsive education. This article illustrates the processes of planning, implementation and evaluation of this approach, highlighting the impacts of community service learning. Parents, students and future teachers interact in workshops that center on validating native language literacy, increasing parental involvement and providing conceptually correct science education. The project indicates that two-way dual language programs with …

Implementing The Texas Master Science Teacher Program, William Robertson, Elaine Hampton, Brian Giza

Selected Works Temporary Series

In 2004, the State of Texas authorized the Texas Master Science Teacher certification. This post-baccalaureate certification provided a much-needed opportunity for experienced science teachers to be formally recognized for their leadership roles at a time in which science instruction was being impacted by a number of sometimes competing state and national initiatives. This article describes the steps and lessons learned by the team that implemented the first Master Science Teacher program in Texas.

A Practical Approach To Building Web Sites In The Classroom, William Robertson

Selected Works Temporary Series

The five-phased process for building Web sites in the classroom may be useful in helping educators facilitate the process of integrating computer technology and the Internet into instruction and curriculum design. The method described is a synthesis of a personal process of discovery, teaching, and learning that has come from practical experience with teachers and students. To effectively utilize this five-phased approach, the instructor must ascertain the final goal, whether it is a curriculum product, Web site, oral presentation, or some other form of demonstration of learning. The identified phases are a set of guiding principles that at any time …

Id Hysteria Says More About Some People's Freudian 'Id' Than About Science, William W. Cobern

Scientific Literacy and Cultural Studies Project

One of the dumbest things I have ever heard from an otherwise intelligent person came not quite a decade ago and from astronomer Alan Hale commenting on the Heaven’s Gate mass suicide (Hale, 1997). It is silly enough that he thought that his personal encounters with a few psychotic speculators regarding the Hale-Bopp comet represented a commonly held view of comets; but no, we learn from Alan Hale that the real reason 39 people in the Heaven’s Gate cult committed suicide is that they were ignorant and superstitious. They apparently didn’t know that after all a comet is nothing more …

Standards Based Interactive Bilingual Math Centers For The Kindergarten Classroom, Laura Berge

All Graduate Projects

Statistical data from various research sources indicate a large discrepancy between mathematical achievement levels of Hispanic students. The project is significant in that it integrates current research on early learners, educational pedagogy, ELL teaching strategies, and mathematical learning to ensure success in mathematics for young Hispanic students. Toward this end, the purpose of this project was to develop bilingual math centers using a constructivist approach and the latest research on second language acquisition and teaching for the early childhood classroom. This project is also unique because it supplements current math curriculums used throughout the state while providing the necessary scaffolds …

Moving Traditional Teaching Methods Of Advanced Placement Biology Toward Improving Opportunity For Students To Develop Understanding Of Scientific Principles, Mabell Jeannette Martinez

Theses Digitization Project

This project investigated the role of the advanced placement program in the classroom. The research suggested that implementation of inquiry-based methods in science classrooms, including advanced placement biology courses, would improve student understanding.