Project Goals

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Project Goals
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An integration of a common pedagogy and
technology platform in Mathematics, Botanical,
Physical and Life Science courses at Texarkana
College.
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Courses emphasize science content and pedagogical
techniques utilizing hands-on/minds-on,
constructivist-based strategies and alternative
assessment techniques appropriate for the
elementary classroom.
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Students enrolled in Modern Mathematics I II,
Physical Science, Life Science I II and Botany
at Texarkana College are participating as mission
specialists solving problems as we explore space
in an integrated modeling exercise. Goal
Professors model the way science and math should
be taught and assessed in the elementary grades.
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Dr. Carl Nelson President Texarkana
College Dr. Steven Hensley President Texas
AM University-Texarkana
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David Allard Ph.D.NOVA Project Leader Prof.
Biology Texarkana College andTexas AM
University-Texarkana Jamie AshbyProf.
Mathematics Texarkana CollegeDelbert
DowdyProf. Physics Texarkana CollegeMark
StoreyProf. Biology and Agricultural
SciencesTexarkana College
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NASA Connections
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The NASA strategic enterprise, Human
Exploration and Development of Space has been
utilized in providing a means to present
mathematics and science in an integrated context.
Data has been collected in science classrooms and
is being analyzed in mathematics classrooms while
discussing the implications of humans studying
and exploring space. Integrated science and
math modeling activities allow students to
explore contexts that are not available in
traditional isolated courses.
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Pedagogical Techniques Utilized in Math and
Science courses

• manipulatives
• experimental design
• data analysis
• collaborative groups during class activities

Alternative assessment techniques

• portfolios
• journal writing
• interviews
• internet projects
• cross curricular projects

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Technology Utilized in the Modeling Activities

• graphing calculators
• data probe sensors
• computer graphic analysis
• digital cameras
• GPS receivers
• data recorders
• internet activities

Utilization of this technology allows students to
see the important connections between math and
science as they design tests, collect, exchange
and analyze data.
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During the Fall 1999 semester we conducted
studies regarding classes of functions, their
graphs, and their applications in modeling
situations. Experiments to collect data for
mathematical analysis and modeling will be
conducted using the TI-83Plus graphing
calculator,Calculator Based Laboratory (CBL),
and Calculator Based Ranger (CBR) technology
platform. These experiments will connect real
world science concepts to mathematical contexts.
Modern Mathematics I II
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"CHAIR" ROVERThe stage is set by considering
the position of the Rover on Mars during the Mars
Pathfinder Mission in Summer 1997. When the
Rover landed on Mars during the Pathfinder
Mission scientists had to have the ability to
know where the Rover was located with respect to
the lander. The Rover acted like a remote
control toy car. In this activity, students
utilize the TI-CBR to simulate the path of the
Rover as it journeyed across the surface of Mars.
This data collection and transmission technique
is similar to the Rover transmitting its location
on Mars back to Earth. Adapted from materials
presented by Mark Klespis during The OhioState
University Short Course Program in cooperation
with Texas Instruments Inc.
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Botany
During the Fall 1999 semester students conducted
several experiments exploring the physiological
processes in protists and plant flora utilizing
the TI-83 Plus graphing calculator and CBL-
technology platform. This allowed students to
gather multiple sets of relevant data from
several trials and then analyze the data in order
to support or refute their tentative
hypothesis's. These experiments illustrated the
necessity of plant life to humans on earth as
well as their importance as we explore space.
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Students individually investigate basic plant
physiology principles by designing and
implementing semester long research projects.
Quantitative data is carefully collected
utilizing Vernier probeware sensors and TI-83
Plus graphing calculators.
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In one activity we explored the relationships of
surface area and environmental factors on plant
transpiration. The plant used in our tests was
Photinia X Fraseri. The slope (rate) of
transpiration in this trial was found to be
-1.75 x E-04 ATM./s
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Introduction to Life Science III
Hands on curriculum models (teaching units) are
presented by pre-service teachers to pre-service
teachers. This allows each student to develop an
extensive experiential knowledge base.
Pre-service teachers coordinate activities to the
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
educational standards. All of the lessons
presented throughout both semesters are collected
and conserved in a portfolio for later use in the
classroom.
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The class is instructed (by pre-service teacher)
to carefully extract fossils within this "strata
of soil".
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Physical Science
Students designed tests to investigate several
phenomena concerning exploration of space. These
students are measuring radioactivity as a
function of distance. They are using the TI 83
Plus and CBL with a radiation detector.
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Project Impact
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Elementary Education courses that have been
significantly modified

• Introduction to Life Science I II
• Physical Science
• Modern Math I II

Additional Courses that have been impacted

• Botany (majors)
• Principles of Biology I II (majors)
• Concepts of Biology I II (non-majors)
• Physics
• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• General Chemistry (majors)

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The following courses within the Master of
Science in Education Degree with an Emphasis in
Science Education have been significantly
impacted by the NOVA project
Texas AM University - Texarkana

• Science Education 503 Strategies for Teaching
  Science
• Science Education 504 Guiding Student
  Research in Science
• Science Education 505 Teaching Environmental
  Science
• Science Education 529 Workshop in Science
  Education.
• Science Education 597 Special Topics in
  Science Education

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Texarkana College hosted three Texas Instruments
Teachers Teaching with Technology (T3) programs
during April and May1999 Mathematics
Teacher Educator (MTE) Mathematically
Modeling Science(M2S)
SCIENCE
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Activities allowed participating college and high
school teachers to explore new and innovative
ways of teaching traditional science concepts and
an emphasis was placed on new methods of data
collection and analysis. By using a hands-on
approach, the participants learned how to
effectively integrate the calculator and the CBL
system into their courses. Our workshop
participants gained understanding, confidence,
and enthusiasm for using the calculator in and
out of the classroom.
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Spin-off Projects
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The East Texas Regional Collaborative for
Excellence in Science Teaching (ETRC) is a part
of the Eisenhower Regional Collaboratives for
Excellence in Science Teaching. The goal of the
ETRC is to improve science education by providing
local pre-college science teachers with sustained
training in science content and innovative
methods of teaching science. The North East
Texas Science Improvement Project and Project
ESTT (Empowering Science Teachers of Texas) are
the current programs for 1999-2000 school year.
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Provides 24 middle school teachers (Grades 5 -8)
from area school districts with a three-week
course in summer 1999 followed by one session per
month during the1999-2000 academic year. Topics
include force, motion, use of graphing
calculators and data recording devices, and
integration of reading and mathematics with
science.
The North East Texas Physical Science Improvement
Project - Project ESTT
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Casio digital cameras were used as data
collectors in this activity exploring the laws of
motion. Small "friction drive" model cars were
used and captured in a "mini-movie." The movie
was composed of 32 frames each 0.1 seconds in
duration for a total of 3.2 seconds per movie.
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http//www.tc.cc.tx.us/dallard/NOVA/nova.html