Science Education and Quantitative Literacy: An Integrated, Inquiry-Based Approach

Project Title: Science Education and Quantitative Literacy: An Integrated, Inquiry-Based Approach

Project Director: Dr. V.A. Samaranayake

Lead Institution: Missouri University of Science and Technology

Duration of Project: Three years (Cycle-8 is the third and final year for this project)

Grade Level Focus: 2-7 (Cycle-8 will focus on grades 6-7)

Credit Hours to be Provided: 4 graduate credit hours

Project Summary:
This three-year project will provide professional development in inquiry-based methods to 35 mathematics and science teachers annually. All teachers are from the south-central region of Missouri, with the majority from high-needs schools. Building on our experience from a previous ITQG project, we will use an integrated approach that highlights the synergy between science experiments and the use of mathematics to understand experimental data. In order to enhance their learning, students will apply mathematical concepts when learning science and use scientific data in learning mathematics.

The first year will target 2nd and 3rd grade teachers, the second year 4th and 5th grade teachers, and the third year 6th and 7th grade teachers. This scaled approach will allow us to train virtually every mathematics and science teacher in the elementary and middle grades of the targeted school districts. Instructional materials will be developed through a cooperative effort between Missouri University of Science and Technology Education, Mathematics, and Physics department faculty members, teachers from participating schools, and master teachers from our previous ITQG project. The project will address selected mathematics and science GLE?s which participating teachers report as difficult for their students to master.