Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Real Stem: Scientific Research For Rural Georgia High School Students, Deborah M. Walker, Robert L. Mayes, Raushanah Oglesby, Rich Mccombs

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

This is the story of creating a STEM research experience for students through a partnership between research institutes, University Faculty and high school teachers. The story of Real STEM will include a discussion of how the grant work is structured, barriers to implementation and successes that spur us on to continue to bring STEM experiences to rural, southeast Georgia.

"When Scientists Look At Their Data, They Don't Know The Answer:" Talking Science In A University Introductory Science Course, Victoria M. Deneroff, Rosalie Richards, Markeeta Clayton

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

We use conversation for instruction in our introductory level physical science course. The content focuses on science as a way of knowing, particularly the ways in which scientific claims are backed by evidence. We find our 21st Century students do understand consensus building and have some skill in listening to each other’s ideas, and are learning to harness these strengths for instruction.

Complex Adaptive Systems And Quantitative Reasoning In An Interdisciplinary Stem Mathematics Classroom, Robert L. Mayes, Kania Greer

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

In this presentation we will share outcomes from the Real STEM project, which provides professional development for rural teachers in the Georgia Coastal Plains supporting implementation of interdisciplinary STEM courses as well as STEM modules in mathematics and science courses. Real STEM includes a number of innovative student-active strategies for teaching including: Understanding by Design (UbD) approaches to teaching for understanding, problem-based learning (PBL), place-based education (PBE), complex adaptive systems (CAS) thinking, and quantitative reasoning (QR). QR is the mathematical underpinning of the projects. The projects are ongoing so we will report our results on impact on teacher practice and …

Creating A Multimedia Enhanced Problem-Based Learning Environment For Middle School Science: Voices From The Developers, Min Liu, Lucas Horton, Jaejin Lee, Jina Kang, Jason Rosenblum, Matthew O’Hair, Chu-Wei Lu

Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning

This paper describes the design and development process used to create Alien Rescue, a multimedia-enhanced learning environment that supports problem-based learning (PBL) in middle school science. The goal of the project is to further our understandings of technology, pedagogy, and instructional theories as they relate to the application of PBL within middle school classrooms through the application of design-based research. A unique characteristic of the project is that it is developed entirely by a team of graduate learning technologies students, working under the direction and supervision of the faculty. Throughout the development process, graduate student developers learn steps and strategies …

Food, Cooking And Nutrition-Engaging A Wide Audience To Explore Inter-Disciplinary Science Topics, Sharmistha Basu-Dutt, Victoria Geisler

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Food and cooking have been a central theme in several courses developed recently at the University of West Georgia. In this presentation, the nature of the content and learning outcomes of these courses will be presented. A unique multi-tiered approach will be offered to show how this theme can be effectively used to engage audiences of all ages and capabilities to use the scientific method. Sample activities will show how to engage the young novice elementary student to explore introductory science concepts in a fun environment and challenge the college science major to design an effective experimental design to answer …

The Power Of Animations In Stem Courses, Adrian Heinz, Xin Xu

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

We demonstrate educational web-based animations to facilitate teaching and learning in STEM courses. These animations were developed by IT students who closely worked with the researchers and faculty. The animations are later used in the classroom to explain specific concepts to students of STEM disciplines such as chemistry, biology and mathematics. The interactive nature of the animations allows students to become active participants of the learning process. In order to measure their value as a teaching and learning tool, pre and post survey data was collected and analyzed.

Developing Collaborative Partnerships: Stem On A Mission, Kania Greer, Robert L. Mayes, Debbie Walker

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

The Institute for Interdisciplinary STEM Education at Georgia Southern University seeks to develop partnerships with schools, businesses, and research institutes to improve STEM Education in rural Georgia. This is not without it’s challenges. This session will focus on an overview of the Institute and then engage participants in a round table discussion of best practices to improve partnerships.

A Touch Of Glass, Daniel E. Rivera

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Learn more about Google Glass! We will demonstrate how Glass works, provide details on the features, functions, and limitations, and explain where Glass is moving in the future. Why do educators need to know about it? What are the implications of such technology? How is it being used in STEM education?

What School Administrators Can Do To Support K-12 Stem Teachers, Robert H. Costlow, Richard Mccombs, Ashley Crosby

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Retaining good teachers has and continues to be a major issue for all levels of K-12 Education. However, many things can be done at the school level to keep your good teachers. This interactive session is designed to give you good ideas about retaining your teachers from both an administrative and teacher viewpoint, as well as give you an opportunity to ask specific questions in a guided discussion format so that each of us can learn from each other.

Critical Thinking And The Languages Of Stem, Connie H. Rickenbaker, Sally Gilbreth

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Participants in this session will learn about the critical thinking strategy of SEEI (Nosich, 2011) as used by both high school and university students. SEEI (State, Explain, Example, Illustrate) has a strong connection with the languages of STEM (Baber, 2011) which will be shown by the presenters. Participants will have the opportunity to implement and share their own SEEIs as part of the group discussion.

Literacy Matters In Science And Mathematics, Gladys T. Hamilton

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Where are literacy opportunities in the CCGPS Science and Mathematics standards? Lets dig into the standards and discovery the opportunities.

Hitting Pause On Organic Chemistry, Jenny B. Vu

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Written procedures for performing organic chemistry experiments are replaced by visual demonstrations that allow students to watch these videos at home and/ or in the laboratory. These previously recorded demonstrations allow students to watch, pause, and rewind the video to better understand laboratory techniques.

From The Co-Editors

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Systems Thinking With Biology Models, Joseph Dauer

Discipline-Based Education Research Group Speaker Series

The recent AAAS call to improve undergraduate biology education suggested university instruction should focus on teaching core concepts like matter and energy, evolution, and systems and core competences like quantitative reasoning, modeling and integrating disciplines. My research has focused on how undergraduate biology students organize their knowledge of biological systems and how they reason about the myriad interactions and potential outcomes inherent to these systems. I will report ongoing research into students’ model construction during an introductory biology course and during clinical interviews 2 years after the course. My colleagues and I have found students’ models change dramatically in both …

Student Identity Considerations And Implications Associated With Socioscientific Issues Instruction, Mitchel James Ruzek

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to explore how aspects of identity, perceived levels of controversy, and the strength of a student's attachment to their controversial identity relate to conceptual understanding and knowledge acquisition during socioscientific issues (SSI) based instruction in a biology classroom. The knowledge gained from this study will have the capacity to enhance our understanding of the role that attachment to identity plays during SSI negotiation. Additionally, insight was gained into the role played by aspects of identity in conceptual understanding of scientifically controversial topics during SSI based instruction.

This study contributed to the existing knowledge base …

An Examination Of Teachers' Perceptions And Implementation Of Learning Trajectory Based Professional Development, Megan Hope Wickstrom

Theses and Dissertations

The aims of this study were to investigate how teachers incorporated learning trajectory based research into practice, specifically how they made sense of students' thinking in relation to classroom instruction. To conduct this study, I used an ethno-methodological approach (Garfinkel, 1967) across several months, with three fourth-grade teachers in a diverse, high needs school. Each of the teachers participated in professional development on using learning trajectories (Sarama & Clements, 2009) as a tool to formatively assess individual student's thinking as a means to inform classroom instruction. During the study, the teachers were asked to conduct clinical interviews with students in …

Stem Stories, March 2014, Stefani Keller

STEM Stories

Student Profile - Emily Pei

Assessing High School Biology Academic Achievement By Comparing Traditional Versus Virtual Dissection Of Rat Specimens, Arthur L. Jamison Jr.

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

American's lagging student performance on standardized assessments in critical subject areas such as science has in-part led to numerous educational reforms including No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top, resulting in an increased focus on student achievement. International and national government officials note the direct correlation between the value of science and driving the economic prosperity of a nation adding increased pressure to improve science scores in the United States. Local districts and schools struggle with how to improve student achievement in order to meet the requirements of state and federal educational reforms.

The purpose of this mixed-methods …

The Relationship Between Principal Leadership And Teacher Morale In The Elementary Schools In A Northwest Georgia School District, Daniel Webb

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the difference between 2012 CRCT math sores based on principal leadership styles and teacher morale, as well as the relationship between teacher morale and 2012 CRCT math scores at each of the 12 elementary schools within a Northwest Georgia county school district. There is a gap in current research regarding the importance of teacher morale and principal leadership at the elementary level, and another gap exists in research that compares teacher morale and student success. Teacher morale was quantified through the use of the Purdue Teacher Opinionaire (PTO), principal leadership practices were quantified through the use of …

Two Bit Circus, Elise Lemle

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

Two Bit Circus collaborated with the Girl Scouts of the Greater Los Angeles Area to explore the exciting world of wearable electronics. Over the course of the program, the students explored concepts of introductory electronics while designing and creating their own illuminated fashion piece. The program was held in Montrose, CA in Fall 2013. The students were approximately 10 girls ages seven to 14. The program was held over seven sessions with each session lasting 80 minutes.

Full Steam Ahead: Creativity In Excellent Stem Teaching Practices, Danah Henriksen

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

This article emphasizes the value of creativity and arts-based learning in the sciences (STEAM education), using one example from a recent research study of creative and effective classroom teachers. The future of innovative thinking in STEM disciplines relies on breaking down the distinction between disciplines traditionally seen as “creative” like the arts or music, and STEM disciplines traditionally seen as more rigid or logical-mathematical (Catterall, 2002). The most exceptional thinkers in fields like science or math are also highly creative individuals who are deeply influenced by an interest in, and knowledge of, music, the arts and similar areas (Caper, 1996; …

Learning Catalytics Workshop, Chad Brassil

Discipline-Based Education Research Group Speaker Series

Come and participate in a demonstration using Learning Catalytics in the classroom. Experience how this system takes a step behind clickers, facilitating peer learning and active learning pedagogies in even very large classrooms. Hear about experience of using this system from instructors at UNL. Note, attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop computer, smartphone, or tablet to the workshop and to contact Chad Brassil [email protected] beforehand to set‐up a demonstration Learning Catalytics account.

A Comparative Analysis Of The Singapore Math Curriculum And The Everyday Mathematics Curriculum On Fifth Grade Achievement In A Large Northeastern Urban Public School District, Tina L. Powell

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examined the differences between the achievement effects of one proposed Common Core State Standards-aligned mathematics program, Math in Focus: Singapore Math, and one NCTM-aligned mathematics program, Everyday Mathematics, on Grade 5 mathematics performance. An explanatory non-experimental research design was employed using post hoc pre- and post-treatment data from 2010 NJ ASK3 and 2012 NJ ASK5 administrations, respectively. The study examined the achievement outcomes of 205 Grade 5 general education students across several independent variables (race/ethnicity, gender, SES, attendance). Statistical analyses revealed fairly consistent results regarding differences in student performance on the 2012 NJ ASK5 in schools implementing Singapore …

The Nature And Nurture Of Intuition, Thomas Q. Sibley

Forum Lectures

Are people just innately good at mathematics or not? My teaching experience suggests mathematical ability is not just fate: Students develop their mathematical abilities by doing mathematics. In particular we discuss geometric intuition, its connection with geometric reasoning and the possibility of developing them, using examples to get the listeners actively thinking about their own geometric thinking.

A Residency Model: Shifting From Traditional To On-Site Education, Ryan Andrew Nivens

ETSU Faculty Works

I report how methods course assignments shifted from simulation to actual participation in remediation, assessment, and co-teaching in a K- 6 methods course in a state where policies dictate a residency model in place of traditional courses followed by student teaching

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 26, No. 1, February 2014

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Content: Welcome - Congratulations - Grants - Publications - Meet an Off-Campus Student - Faculty News - Bruner Club News - Blasts from the Past - Condolences (Dr. John (Jack) Campbell) - Retirement Receptions

Kinesthetic Investigations In The Physics Classroom, Brooke A. Whitworth, Jennifer L. Chiu, Randy L. Bell

Publications

Inquiry can be defined practically as “an active learning process in which students answer research questions through data analysis.”2 This simple definition of inquiry is based on the National Science Educational Standards and is easy for teachers to understand. The National Research Council (NRC) identifies the scientific practices that support inquiry and that students should be engaged in, including: question generation, experimental design, data analysis, creating explanations, argumentation, and communicating results.3 The investigations created encourage inquiry and require students to develop their scientific practices skills.

The Impact And Effectiveness Of Student-Centered Classroom Structure, Amie P. Westberg

Mathematics Graduate Theses

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of student-centered learning as an alternative classroom structure. It is important that we continually reflect on our teaching methods and explore alternatives that can help give our students the best chance to succeed. While the literature is mixed with regard to which classroom style is best, there are many sources showing the benefits of student-centered instruction over a strictly teacher- centered classroom. Sources also showed that teachers do not need to choose exclusively one style of teaching, and that a blended classroom using a variety of teaching styles can be …

Mathematical Investigations For Supporting Pre-Service Primary Teachers Repeating A Mathematics Education Course, Judy Bailey

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Preparing to become an effective primary school mathematics teacher is a challenging and complex task; and is influenced by one’s past experiences, personal knowledge of, and beliefs and attitudes towards mathematics. This paper examines the experiences of a small group of pre-service teachers who did not pass their first year mathematics education course. As part of their second attempt at this course for a Bachelor of Teaching (primary) degree the pre-service teachers engaged in a mathematical investigation. Data suggests that undertaking an open-ended mathematical investigation facilitated positive shifts with regard to the pre-service teachers’ knowledge of, and beliefs and attitudes …

Differences In Math Achievement: Utilizing Supplemental Computer-Based Instruction And Traditional Instruction, Todd Clark

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mathematics achievement has become vitally important in public education, obligating students to meet and exceed higher standards in spite of ability and knowledge level. This causal-comparative study sought to establish the achievement of the Classworks® supplemental math program with seventh grade students from two public schools in Georgia. The national Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) scores in math were used to compare 129 seventh grade students (control group) who used traditional instruction and 129 students (experimental group) who used traditional instruction along with the supplemental Classworks® software program. In addition, the study analyzed the relationships between gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. …