Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Learning To Notice Mathematics Instruction: Using Video To Develop Preservice Teachers' Vision Of Ambitious Pedagogy, Elizabeth Van Es, Ana Auger, Tara Barnhart, Mary Cashen

Education Faculty Articles and Research

Video is used extensively in teacher preparation, raising questions about what and how preservice teachers learn through video observation and analysis. We investigate the development of candidates' noticing of ambitious mathematics pedagogy in the context of a video-based course designed to cultivate ways of seeing and interpreting classroom interactions. Qualitative analysis of candidates' observations of teaching at the beginning and end of the course generated a framework of practices and associated approaches for noticing instructional interactions. The 3 practices include attending to features of instruction, elaborating on observations, and integrating observations to reason about instruction. Findings reveal …

An Exploration Of The Math Names For Numbers: An Early Childhood Mathematics Intervention, Suzanne Magargee

Theses & Dissertations

A longitudinal study of the effects of an early childhood mathematics intervention was conducted in 2 private elementary schools in a large city in central Texas. The study included 377 participants in prekindergarten through fifth grades. Explicit non-inverted number names were taught in English and Spanish to prekindergarten and kindergarten students, with formative assessments conducted during this timeframe. Summative assessment results from standardized achievement tests were collected in grades 1 through 5 from 341 of the participants. Normal curve equivalent scores of total mathematics achievement, problem solving, and mathematics procedures were compared among groups of children with no or up …

21st Century Education: The Importance Of The Humanities In Primary Education In The Age Of Stem, Christine M. Reiter

Senior Theses

Taking into consideration the global shift towards innovation and technological development, the rapid changes in the global economy, and the United States Department of Education’s attempts to find a one-size-fits-all solution for America's education woes, our national focus has shifted towards the STEM subjects—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This shift to STEM-focused education has challenged the role of the Humanities in American education, introducing concerns that the overwhelming emphasis on STEM disciplines has pushed the arts, Humanities and human sciences off to the side or even completely out of the picture in American classrooms. In our everchanging technology-focused world, …

Natural Sciences At Parkland College -- Spring 2017, Parkland College Natural Sciences Department, David Wilson, Scott Siechen, Amy Nicely, Erik Johnson, Britt Carlson, Toni Burkhalter, Derrick Baker, Christina Beatty, Heidi Leuszler, David Leake

Department of Natural Sciences Newsletter

This issue of the Natural Sciences Newsletter features an article on the SciCommons, an open tutoring center for Natural Sciences students at Parkland, a report on the seventh annual Illinois Science Olympiad Regional Tournament, submissions from the Astronomy Club and Science Club, a summary of the Laboratory Skills Assessment Survey, an article on internationalizing curriculum, and an article on the local March for Science (April 22, 2017).

Stem Stories, May 2017, Mir Ashfaquzzaman

STEM Stories

Faculty Profile - Dawn Del Carlo

Critical Reflections On Teacher Conceptions Of Race As Related To The Effectiveness Of Science Learning, Colby Tofel-Grehl, Kristin Searle

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

The Maker Movement’s current traction in education revolves around the notion that constructing artifacts improves student interest and engagement. Often touted as a new and important way for students to access STEM content, “making” activities offer a unique opportunity to disrupt the traditional perceptions of who can successfully “do” STEM. Blending familiar materials and practices (e.g. sewing with a needle and thread) with atypical materials (e.g., conductive thread and sewable LED bulbs), electronic textiles, or e-textiles, allow makers to create working circuits in ways that connect with their out-of-school lives, including heritage and vernacular cultural practices. This article describes the …

Engaging Students In Authentic Mathematical Discourse In A High School Mathematics Classroom, Whitney Ann Evans

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the successes and challenges a teacher faces when implementing authentic mathematical discourse in a high school mathematics classroom. Nine lessons were implemented that emphasized student engagement in Common Core Mathematics Practice Three (MP3) (construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.) This was a qualitative action research study that took place in a Geometry classroom with 16 9th-11th grade students. Personal journal entries were recorded by the teacher-researcher after each lesson which included detailed summaries of the lesson and reflections on instances of students engaging in MP3 as well …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 29, No. 3, May 2017

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents: Congratulations - Retirement Reception for Dr. Shripat Kamble - Welcome - Faculty News - Publications - Grants - Student News - Kansas Entomological Society Annual Meeting, April 15, 2017 - Blast from the Past - Travel

The Impact Of Make-A-Ten Strategy On Student Addition Fact Fluency, Jennifer Van Wyk

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research project is to determine if the Make-a-Ten strategy has a correlation to increased addition fact fluency. With small group interventions, which included subitizing and number decomposition, students were exposed to various models that showed how to make a ten with multiple numbers when adding them together. Data was collected through pre and post assessments and measured quantitatively to compare fluency scores. Student fluency interviews were also given to mark what level of fact understanding they had. Analysis of the data collected suggests that making tens increases student fluency and allows for more flexibility when …

English Language Learners In The Mathematics Classroom, Julia Mccormick

Senior Honors Projects

Mathematics is often considered a universal language. Most of us have heard this statement from a math teacher at some point throughout our academic careers. However, for students moving to the United States from another country with minimal fluency in English, this is clearly not the case. They may walk into math class, a subject area in which they may have excelled in their native country, and see the words “polynomial”, “coefficient”, and “differentiate” on the board. Regardless of their experiences in their native language, there are disconnects and cultural differences between languages and skills emphasized that prevents mathematics from …

Volume 1, Proceedings Of The Interdisciplinary Stem Teaching And Learning Conference

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (Archived)

Full version of volume 1 of the Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference.

Learning To Program In Python – By Teaching It!, Bryan J. Fagan M. Ed., Bryson Payne

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (Archived)

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts over 8 million job openings in IT and computing, including 1 million cybersecurity postings, over the current five-year period. This paper presents lessons learned in preparing middle-school students in rural Georgia for future careers in computer science/ IT by teaching computer programming in the free, open-source programming language Python using Turtle graphics, and discusses exercises and activities with low-cost drones, bots, and 3D printers to get students interested and keep them engaged in coding. Described herein is one pair of instructors’ (one middle-school, one university) multi-year, multi-stage approach to providing engineering and technology …

The Correlation Between Extracurricular Stem Activities And Students With Disabilities, Karin Fisher

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (Archived)

Students with disabilities perform below their non-disabled peers in science (National Science Foundation, 2015). The purpose of the exploratory research was to determine if informal science learning activities offered in Florida districts make a difference on the performance of students with disabilities (SWD) on the 2015 8th grade Florida science assessment using quasi-experimental research methods. After determining a statistically significant difference does exist on the difference between students with and without disabilities on the 8th Grade Florida Science Assessment, the researcher determined if STEM personnel track the number of students with disabilities who participate in STEM activities. The number and …

Enhancing Interdisciplinary Attitudes And Achievement Via Integrated Biology And Chemistry, Ying Guo, Pat Uelmen Huey Dr., David P. Pursell

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (Archived)

Success in undergraduate biology courses relies upon a firm grounding in chemical principles. We sought to raise students’ awareness of the connection between these two disciplines and to improve their understanding of each by carrying out a pilot project that integrated the curricula of Principles of Chemistry II (CHEM1212K) and Principles of Biology I (BIOL1107K) during the Fall 2016 semester. The study involved two course pairs: one section of each course delivered in the traditional non-integrated manner and a second pair of sections that were integrated across the chemistry and biology disciplines in both the scope and sequence of the …

Assessing Student Progress And Performance Across The Curriculum, Christopher G. Brown, Jennell M. Talley, Bekah Ward Dr., Christopher I. Brandon Jr., Jill Penn, Elisabeth Javazon

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (Archived)

Evaluation of student learning is of paramount importance to the educational community and allows reflection on program successes and weaknesses; however, best practices are hotly debated. This project designed and implemented an assessment system in which an identical, mixed-format assessment was given to all levels of students in the Georgia Gwinnett College biology program at the start of the semester for academic years 2014-15, 2015-16 and Fall of 2016. The assessment contained multiple choice and free-response questions, and evaluated lab reports from core courses in the biology program. This system allows for longitudinal assessment of students, provides quick results for …

The Progesterone Receptor – To Be Or Not To Be: The Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Progesterone In Raw 264.7 Cells, Christopher I. Brandon Jr., Bagie George

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (Archived)

It has been widely established that, in addition to its role in reproduction, progesterone (P4) also has potent anti-inflammatory effects. While the precise mechanisms have never been clearly elucidated in RAW 246.7 cells, it seems logical to assume that this response is – at least in part - a consequence of activation of and signaling through the progesterone receptor (P4-R). However, it has recently been shown that in a rat model, this anti-inflammatory effect is – in fact - independent of the progesterone receptor. In this project, the aim was to characterize this response by assaying nitric oxide production from …

High School Student Concussion Recovery Program: Teacher Involvement In Student Academic Transitions To Classroom And To Sports, Brittany Diego

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Many symptoms of concussions can substantially interfere with the cognitive abilities, and skills students use in school. Although students may have similar symptoms, they experience concussions differently. Students returning to the classroom from a concussion often have different needs and abilities.

Research shows that a formal, individualized protocol to treat suspected concussions, both academically and physically, is vital to the successful recovery of each student. Much research is available on concussions for professional athletes, specifically related to recovery and returning to their sport. However, there is little research about high school students regarding concussions. Concussion recovery programs for high school …

Claim, Evidence, And Reasoning: Evaluation Of The Use Of Scientific Inquiry To Support Argumentative Writing In The Middle School Science Classroom, Gabriela Mastro

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

In light of the essential science and engineering practices identified by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), this study focuses on the specific science and engineering practice, "engage in argument from evidence," and how classroom practices can serve to strengthen this skill (National Research Council, 2012, p. 71). The NGSS focus on inquiry necessitates students’ use of argument, particularly in writing, to communicate their knowledge and scientific findings and to develop an understanding of scientific practice. The purpose of this teacher action research study is to evaluate the influence of inquiry-based argumentative writing exercises, based on the Argument Driven Inquiry …

The Successes And Challenges Of Utilizing Geogebra To Integrate Mp5: Use Appropriate Tools Strategically, David Scott Matthews Ii

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The purpose of this action research study was to identify the successes and challenges a teacher experienced when GeoGebra was incorporated into an Algebra II unit of study with the goal of integrating the fifth mathematical practice of the Common Core State Standards, use appropriate tools strategically. Data were collected from 20 student participants and the teacher-researcher via the following methods: teacher-researcher self-observations, peer educator observations, student interviews, and video-recordings. Instruments in the form of an observational protocol, utilized by observers, and an interview protocol, utilized by the interviewer, were employed. The data analysis indicated two successes: the teacher-researcher’s instruction …

Are Universities Providing Non-Stem Students The Mathematics Preparation Required By Their Programs?: A Case Study Of A Quantitative Literacy Pathway And Vertical Alignment From Remediation To Degree Completion, Charles Merritt Allen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Informed by Gagne's belief in the necessity of prerequisite knowledge for new learning, and Bruner's Spiral Curriculum Theory, the objective of this case study was to explore the postsecondary pathway from remedial mathematics, through one gateway mathematics course, and into the quantitative literacy requirements of various non-STEM programs of study. Particular attention was directed towards analyses of the vertical alignment of course content between: (1) the two consecutive remedial mathematics courses (Beginning Algebra and Intermediate Algebra), (2) the two remedial courses and the gateway course (Fundamentals of College Mathematics), and (3) the gateway course and the quantitative literacy needs of …

Effectiveness Of St Math In College Remedial Mathematics Students Of Learning Fraction Concepts, Taro Ito

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study examined the extent to which the iPad app, Spatial Temporal Mathematics (ST Math), diminished college remedial mathematics students’ natural number bias and deepened their fraction conceptual understanding. In this quasi-experimental study one class played the ST Math fraction games for 8 weeks, and they were compared to a control class who were taught without technology. The frameworks for this study included the framework theory of conceptual change, the reorganization theory, the microworld and the Lesh Translation Model. Pre and post- tests were used to examine the fraction conceptual understanding of the students in the ST Math class and …

Examining The Affordances Of Dual Cognitive Processing To Explain The Development Of High School Students’ Nature Of Science Views, Luke Jackson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This mixed method study was aimed at examining the influence of dual processing (Type 1 and Type 2 thinking) on the development of high school students’ nature of science (NOS) views. Type 1 thinking is intuitive, experiential, and heuristic. Type 2 thinking is rational, analytical, and explicit. Three research questions were asked: (1) Do the experiential process (Type 1) and the logical process (Type 2) influence the development of students’ NOS views? (2) If there is an influence on students’ NOS views, then what is the nature of relationship between the experiential process (Type 1) and the development of NOS …

Instructional Teacher Job Resources And Student Achievement In Mathematics., Amy Stokes-Levine

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research shows that teachers who are supported with job resources are more engaged regardless of the level of demands (Klusmann et al., 2008). Additionally, teachers who are engaged with their work are less likely to report their intention to leave the teaching profession (Klassen et al., 2012), which is particularly important for mathematics teachers who are in high demand (Sutcher, Darling-Hammond, & Carver-Thomas, 2016). Supporting employees with job resources is a commonly accepted practice in many professional fields (e.g., Christian, Garza, & Slaughter, 2011), yet is not a common practice in education (e.g., Bidwell, 2013; Gewertz, 2014; Layton, 2015; Rentner …

The Role Of The Planetarium In Students' Attitudes, Learning, And Thinking About Astronomical Concepts., William Raymond Thornburgh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the planetarium on students while learning astronomy. The main goals of this study were to evaluate changes in students’ attitudes towards astronomy, whether students learned and retained more knowledge due to planetarium-enriched instruction, and how the planetarium helped students think about astronomical concepts. The framework that guided this study was the Contextual Model of Learning (CML) (Falk & Dierking, 1992; 2000), which includes three overlapping contexts that contribute to the overall learning experience in informal science venues - the personal, physical, and sociocultural contexts. The planetarium program was successful …

The Design And Enactment Of Modeling Tasks: A Study On The Development Of Modeling Abilities In A Secondary Mathematics Course, Danielle Buhrman

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study uses components of action and self-study research to examine the design and enactment of modeling tasks with the goal of developing student modeling abilities. The author, a secondary mathematics teacher, first closely examined the curriculum design and instructional decisions she made as she prepared for a unit on mathematical modeling in her precalculus course. Detailed descriptions of the timeline of events as this unit was enacted is then presented, providing insight into student and teacher interactions that occurred during an intense five weeks of modeling instruction. An analysis of these events identified ways in which students relearned how …

A Comparative Study Teaching Chemistry Using The 5e Learning Cycle And Traditional Teaching With A Large English Language Learner Population In A Middle School Setting, Cynthia Nicole Mcwright

Dissertations

For decades science educators and educational institutions have been concerned with the status of science content being taught in K-12 schools and the delivery of the content. Thus, educational reformers in the United States continue to strive to solve the problem on how to best teach science for optimal success in learning. The constructivist movement has been at the forefront of this effort. With mandatory testing nationwide and an increase in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) jobs with little workforce to fulfill these needs, the question of what to teach and how to teach science remains a concern among …

Roman Domination In Complementary Prisms, Alawi I. Alhashim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The complementary prism GG of a graph G is formed from the disjoint union of G and its complement G by adding the edges of a perfect match- ing between the corresponding vertices of G and G. A Roman dominating function on a graph G = (V,E) is a labeling f : V(G) → {0,1,2} such that every vertex with label 0 is adjacent to a vertex with label 2. The Roman domination number γR(G) of G is the minimum f(V ) = Σv∈V f(v) over all such functions of G. We study the Roman domination number of complementary prisms. …

Inclusive Teaching Strategies: An Evaluation Of Course Structure And Summative Assessment In Introductory Biology, Oluwaseun O. Agboola

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Several active learning strategies have been used when increasing the structure of a course as increasing course structure has been known to improve student learning in introductory STEM courses. Much has been studied on the value of frequent formative assessment; however, few studies have evaluated the effective modes of delivering summative assessment. This study examines the use of summative assessment as an inclusive teaching practice to improve first generation college student success in introductory biology and also uses faculty surveys to find out how instructors structure their introductory biology course and why they are structured that way. Final exams were …

Answers To Common Misconceptions About Biological Evolution, Leah M. Abebe, Blake Bartels, Kaitlyn M. Caron, Adam M. Gleeson, Samuel N. Johnson, Tyler J. Kluza, Nicholas W. Knopik, Kristen N. Kramer, Masiel S. Maza, Kaitlyn A. Stava, Kaitlyn Sullivan, Jordan T. Trimble, Robert M. Zink

Papers in Evolution

“When you have an established scientific emergent truth, it is true whether or not you believe in it.” Neil deGrasse Tyson, Science in America. Very few people outside of a particular scientific discipline can actually say they understand it, because most do not have the training to “speak the language.” They are then not particularly bothered by its tenets and predictions. Of all the major branches of science, however, evolutionary biology is an exception to this generalization because even though people are not versed in the field, they sometimes have a negative, knee-jerk objection. This objection is often because they …

To What Extent Does A Relationship Exist Between Nonsupport And Support Students When They Are Grouped Homogeneously And Heterogeneously In The Student's Mathematics Course At Lee County High School, Karen Lynn Hancock

Theses and Dissertations

Societal concerns and revolving federal initiatives linked State assessment scores to accountability measures which determined school success. In Southwest Georgia, one rural high school manipulated student schedules and provided an additional support course for individuals demonstrating documented mathematical deficiencies. The researcher examined the impact of three different grouping practices on the student’s 2014-15 Georgia Milestone Analytic Geometry End-of-Course assessment. This State assessment served as the dependent variable and the student grouping practice served as the independent variable for this quasi-experimental design study. Student schedules were examined and the three groups investigated during this study included 1) a group of students …