Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

An Investigation Into Relationships Between Alternative Assessment And Pre-Service Elementary Teachers’ Beliefs About Mathematics, David Charles Coffey

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how including alternative assessments in a reform-based mathematics course affects pre-service teachers’ mathematical beliefs. A single section of a mathematics course designed for elementary education majors that employed three different alternative assessments was the setting for the study.

A pre- and post-belief survey completed by students enrolled in the section under study represented the first level of data collection and analysis. The results of the pre-belief survey guided the selection of seven informants from the section and provided belief statements for the informants to verify during subsequent interviews. Based on the data …

“The Way Of The Scientist Deepens Beauty By Increasing Understanding”: Teaching Physics As An Aesthetic Form, Claudine Indigo Kavanagh

Dissertations and Theses

Educators have struggled to find an appropriate and efficacious method to engage students of science in their classrooms and lecture halls, This investigation presents a theoretical foundation for the use of aesthetic criteria when teaching physics in high school or undergraduate settings and suggests that this may be an effective learning tool. The relationship between science aesthetics and science literacy is pursued here. Included in this study are discussions of the applications of aesthetic judgement by theoretical physicists in the 20th century and and methods for bringing a dialogue concerning natural philosophy and beauty in the science classroom. While many …

Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network – Spring 2000

Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network

Content:

“Everything is Connected to Everything Else.” by Dave Gosselin, NESEN Director

NESEN Member Recognized as the Scottish Rite Distinguished Teacher

The Nebraska Weather and Climate Web Site by Dr. Ken Dewey, School of Natural Resource Sciences High Plains Climate Center

Does Our Web Work For YOU?!?!?!

The Effect Of A Student Assessment Instrument In The Performance Of Basic Skills Mathematics Students At The Community College Level, Matthew Flacche

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to see if implementation of a self-assessing instrument improved students' test scores when compared to no mid-unit assessment at all. The experiment involved basic skills mathematics students from Camden County College in Blackwood, New Jersey. Two Math Skills III (Elementary Algebra) classes, containing a total of 39 students, were included in the study. Both sections of students completed pretests. The students in both classes received similar instruction, however one class (the treatment group) received three weeks of instruction, completed and graded Student Assessment Instruments (SAI's) approximately every other class (during the instruction), and took a unit …

Impact Of The Implementation Of The New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards On Time Allocation For Elementary Mathematics Instruction, Angela Napoliello-Ivory

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the implementation of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for mathematics instruction three years after their approval by the State Board of Education. A survey methodology was used. The survey was mailed to the New Jersey school districts that include an elementary school. In addition to demographic information, the districts were asked how much time is allocated to mathematics instruction daily. The districts were also asked how much time is spent in direct instruction, in seatwork, and in problem solving each day, and has there been a change over the last …

2000 Twelfth Annual Imsa Presentation Day, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

IMSAloquium Event Booklets

" ... professional research journals such as Nature, Biology of Reproduction, Neuroscience Research Communications and Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings have all featured the research work of MSA students through presentations and publications."

A Survey Comparing Attitudes Towards Mathematics Of Students In The Interactive Mathematics Program, Anne Marie Dewitt

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant differences existed between the attitudes of students enrolled in the Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP) and students enrolled in traditional courses towards mathematics.

The population used for this study was comprised of approximately one hundred students from three IMP classes and students from three college preparatory geometry classes at Pennsauken High School in Pennsauken, New Jersey. A survey was designed to obtain information about students' attitudes toward mathematics. Survey questions were designed to measure their enjoyment of mathematics and their perceived value of mathematics. One-sample and two-sample t-tests were performed to …

The Impact Of The Interdisciplinary Mathematics And Science Program On Students' Attitudes At Oakcrest High School, Norma J. Boakes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects on students' attitudes of an interdisciplinary program at a rural high school in southern New Jersey.

The interdisciplinary mathematics and science program of Oakcrest High School that began in 1998 involved teaming a non-college prep ninth grade mathematics course with the same level general science course. A group of 30 students who had participated in this program were selected; then a Likert-style 22 question attitude survey was developed and implemented to determine the impact the program had on students' attitudes. An analysis of the survey included a one-sample t-test on …

Iowa Academy Of Science President's Banquet [112th Session], Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Program:

Introductions
Awards:
Distinguished Iowa Science Teaching: James Pease
Distinguished Iowa Science Teaching: Floyd Sandford
Distinguished Service: George Knaphus
Distinguished Iowa Scientist: Erwin E. Klaas
Distinguished Fellow: Robert C. Summerfelt
President's Address - Neil Bernstein
Response - Charlie Martinson, President-Elect
General Sessions II - Dr. Eugene Scott, "The Trouble with Evolution"

112th Session Iowa Academy Of Science Awards Luncheon, April 21, 2000, Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Program:

--- Introductions - Neil Bernstein, President
--- Recognition of students participating in various statewide activities - Ernie Schiller, Chair, Student Programs Committee
--- Presentation of scholarship winners and 2001 AJAS representatives - Ernie Schiller, Chair, Student Programs Committee
--- Presentation of Excellence in Science Teaching Awards - Peg Steffen, Director, ESTA Program

Program Abstracts, 112th Session, Iowa Academy Of Science, April 21-22, 2000, Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Presentation abstracts from the annual meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science

The Annual Meeting Of The Iowa Academy Of Science April 21-22, 2000 [Program, 112th Meeting], Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contents:

Program Summary --- 1
General Session Speakers --- 4
Awards --- 7
Symposia Programs --- 8
Special Events --- 8
Poster Sessions --- 9
Section Programs/Special Sessions --- 9
Agricultural Sciences --- 9
Anthropology --- 10, 16
Botany --- 11
Cellular, Molecular & Microbiology --- 17
Chemical Education --- 14
Chemistry: Inorganic, Analytical & Physical --- 18
Chemistry: Organic & Biological --- 18
Conservation --- 19
Earth Science Teaching --- 14
Elementary Science Teaching --- 14
Engineering --- 12
Geology --- 22
Physics --- 23
Physiology --- 23
Psychology & Linguistics --- 25
Science Teaching --- 14, 25
Zoology …

What We Say, What Our Students Hear: A Case For Active Listening, Dorothy Buerk

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

The Word Problem And The Child, Kenneth J. Preskenis

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

The Need For Interviews In The Mathematics Classroom, Emam Hoosain

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Using Environmental News To Help Teach Mathematics, Barry Schiller

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Operationalizing Interactive Learning Paradigms Through Cooperative Learning Activities 100% Of The Time In Math Classes, Ted Panitz

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Changes In Students' Science Attitudes, Awareness And Achievement Across Three Years As A Function Of The Level Of Implementation Of Interactive-Constructivist Teaching Strategies Promoted In A Local Systemic Reform Effort., James Shymansky, Larry Yore, John Anderson

Educator Preparation & Leadership Faculty Works

This study explored the cumulative effect of three years of exposure to teaching strategies being promoted in a local school district's systemic reform on elementary students' attitudes towards school science, awareness of science careers, and science achievement. The reform effort, referred to as the "Science: Parents, Activities, and Literature" (Science PALs) program focused on incorporating children's literature and parent partners using an interactive-constructivist epistemology as its base. Individual teachers were rated by the school district's science coordinator on their use of specific Science PALs strategies. Student attitudes and awareness were assessed with a paper and pencil survey developed for this …

Comment On "Dynamically Maintained Steady-State Pressure Gradients", Todd L. Duncan

Center for Science Education Publications and Presentations

Sheehan [Phys. Rev. E 57, 6660 (1998)] recently discussed the possibility of establishing a dynamically maintained, steady-state pressure gradient in a gas filling a cavity. In this Comment it is pointed out that the pressure gradients in such a system, if attainable in the laboratory, could be used to violate the second law of thermodynamics.

Unique Laboratory Experiences For The Commuter University, D. Don Davis, Ben Golden, Pam Rhyne, Gail Schiffer

Faculty Articles

No abstract provided.

The Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative: Improving Science And Mathematics Student Achievement In Economically Disadvantaged Rural Counties In Central Appalachia Through A School-Based, Teacher Partner Approach, Stephen A. Henderson, Wimberly C. Royster

Mathematics Faculty Publications

This article was written in response to "Top-Down, Routinized Reform in Low-income, Rural Schools: NSF's Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative, by Robert Bickel, Terry Tomaskek, and Teresa Hardman Eagle which was published in the Education Policy Analysis Archives as Number 12 of Volume 8 on February 21, 2000.

How Do We Know There Is A Population-Environment Problem?, Peter J. Taylor

Working Papers on Science in a Changing World

Five fictional friends of the author have agreed to meet and talk, hoping that he was right when he claimed that discussion crossing the usual boundaries of their fields would enrich their different inquiries and concerns. Ecolo, a natural and human ecologist, breaks the ice. He wants to marshall scientific knowledge to persuade others of the seriousness of the population problem. He is questioned by Philoso, whose philosophical bent leads her to observe the models that people use and to ask how they support the claims they make. In turn, the other three join in: Activo, an activist who is …

Restructuring Science Education For The New Millennium, Leon Lederman

Lederman Sketches

Lodestar

Maricopa Community Colleges, Phoenix, AZ

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 12, No. 1, March 2000

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Calendar of events

Grants

Congratulations

Welcome

Faculty news

Graduate student news

Publications

Travel

From the office

Entomology 905 seminar

Farewell to Ackland Jones from David Keith

Top-Down, Routinized Reform In Low-Income, Rural Schools: Nsf's Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative, Robert Bickel, Terry Tomasek, Teresa Hardman Eagle

Leadership Studies Faculty Research

Since 1991, the National Science Foundation has funded fifty-nine state, urban, and rural systemic initiatives. The purpose of the initiatives is to promote achievement in math, science, and technology among all students, and to encourage schools and communities to secure the resources needed to maintain such outcomes. The Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative (ARSI) is a six-state consortium which focuses these efforts on low-income, rural schools. The primary means of accomplishing ARSI's aims is a one-day-one-school site visit, called a Program Improvement Review, done by an ARSI math or science expert. The centrally important Program Improvement Reviews, however, seem to be …

How Big Is Our Sun?, Mark Moldwin

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

Putting large numbers into human perspective by using ratios of a known quantity to an unknown quantity is an important scientific skill. An astronomy activity that encourages the use of estimation and helps students get a handle on large numbers is the making of a scale model of Earth and Sun that is relative in both size and distance.

Snapshots Of Success: Examples Of Imsa Women Graduates, Marti Guarin

Examples of Student Diversity

Searching for a cure for cancer in the heart of a cell, analyzing the ecology of Illinois tall grass prairies, engineering Illinois products to precise specifications, or volunteering to help others, IMSA graduates contribute in myriad ways.

The vignettes offer an in-depth look at several graduates, and the snapshots provide some more glimpses. Women tell how the IMSA experience enabled them to develop confidence to meet academic and personal challenges, succeed in a rigorous academic environment, and grow with the many opportunities IMSA made available.

Thank you to Cathy Veal of the President's Office for the concept and ideas. Thank …

1999-00 Annual Report, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Annual Reports

We are pleased to share with vou the 1999-00 annual report of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. IMSA's 14th year was characterized by the continued evolution of our dynamic Business Plan, and the advancement ol our Strategic Initiatives.

Distribution And Habitat Of The Southern Two-Lined Salamander, Eurycea Cirrigera, In Will County, Illinois: Implications For Population Management And Monitoring, David Mauger, Timothy Bell, Eric L. Peters

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

The southern two-lined salamander (Eurycea cirrigera) was found to occur at numerous localities within the Kankakee River State Park in Will County, Illinois. The species is restricted to small drainages within the Kankakee River valley that have flow consisting of groundwater that discharges at seeps or springs at or within the valley bluff. Cooler water temperatures and possibly other conditions that are associated with water derived from seep or spring sources may be important factors in determining salamander abundance. This is particularly relevant to larval habitat. These observations suggest that the spring or seep-fed larval habitat may be the primary …

Book Review: Wildflowers And Other Plants Of Iowa Wetlands, Paul Christiansen

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Wildflowers and Other Plants of Iowa Wetlands. Sylvan T. Runkeland Dean M. Roosa. 1999. Iowa State University Press. 372 pages. ISBN 0-8138-2174-6 pbk.

Runkel and Roosa have scored again with an impressive book on the plants of Iowa wetlands. The format is similar to their very successful Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie (ISU Press, 1989) with full-page color illustrations of each species with the facing page giving nomenclatural data, range and habitat, leaf, flower and fruit characteristics. Information and interesting facts about the plant, including uses by aborigines and early settlers, follows.