Integrating Science with Mathematics By: Bonnie Wade Philip Iem

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

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

Collaborative Science Education Research Project (CSERP)  Three phase research project.  Aims Education Foundation  The National Center for Science Teaching and Learning

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

AIMS Program Description  Provide hands-on learning through real world experiences  Foster creativity and divergent thinking and discussion  Provide opportunities for application

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.

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

AIMS Program Growth  Included in classrooms in all 50 states  District of Columbia  England  Department of Defense in the Pacific and Mediterranean regions

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.

AIMS and NCSTL Connections  Three phase project will develop an assessment package to measure student outcomes through the integrated curriculum approach

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.

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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