Integrating Science with Mathematics

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Integrating Science with Mathematics

• By
• Bonnie Wade
• Philip Iem

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Why?

• Science and Math are closely related in the real
  world, but are all too often separated in the
  school curriculum.

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National Reports

• A Nation at Risk
• The National Governors Association Report
• Everybody Counts A Report to the Nation on the
  Future of Mathematics Education
• Science for all Americans

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Collaborative Science Education Research Project
(CSERP)

• Three phase research project.
• Aims Education Foundation
• The National Center for Science Teaching and
  Learning

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The Three Phase Research Project is Designed to

• Identify student outcomes related to
  participation in AIMS activities
• Develop prototypic assessment items for high
  priority student outcomes
• Field test an assessment package

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AIMS Program Description

• Provide hands-on learning through real world
  experiences
• Foster creativity and divergent thinking and
  discussion
• Provide opportunities for application

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AIMS Program Objectives

• Improve understanding and interrelatedness
• Train teachers to provide staff development
• Teach using hands-on, student centered approach
• Align with NCTM Standards and Project 2061.

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AIMS Lessons

• Interactions with the real world through hands-on
  investigations
• Design, construction, and use of appropriate data
  records
• Utilization of graphic/pictorial representation
  to display data
• Engagement in higher-order think processes

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AIMS Program Growth

• Included in classrooms in all 50 states
• District of Columbia
• England
• Department of Defense in the Pacific and
  Mediterranean regions

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Evaluation

• Teachers and administrators who use AIMS
  integrated approach report that students
  interest is high when using AIMS activities.
• Increased number of workshops and people
  attending those workshops.
• Increased number of AIMS activities are sold.
  www.aimsedu.org

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AIMS and NCSTL Connections

• Three phase project will develop an assessment
  package to measure student outcomes through the
  integrated curriculum approach

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AIMS and NCSTL Connections

• Primary purpose of the project is to investigate
  the effects of participation in a hands-on
  integrated program (AIMS) on students
  expressions of their thinking and learning, and
  attitudes and perceptions toward and beliefs
  about math and science.

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As Teachers we must

• Integrated curriculum must strengthen and
  reinforce existing student knowledge.
• Extend student understanding in new areas.
• Students need to participate in activities that
  allow them to grow and learn.
• Curriculum must make connections to the real
  world for motivation.
• Finally, maximize the number of students actively
  involved.

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Sources

• www.aimsedu.org
• www.project2061.org
• http//pathfinderscience.net/
• http//www.terc.edu/index.html