Conference Session

Project and Model-Based Mathematics

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Schmeelk, Virginia Commonwealth University; Jean Hodges, Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

AC 2007-274: PROJECT-DIRECTED MATHEMATICSJohn Schmeelk, Virginia Commonwealth University Dr. John Schmeelk is a Professor of mathematics at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, where he is engaged in applied mathematical research in distribution theory. He is currently teaching mathematics at VCUQatar campus in Doha, Qatar. He received his PhD from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He has been an invited speaker to conferences in Australia, China, Brazil, Bulgaria, India and many other countries.Jean Hodges, Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar Since Fall 2004, Jean Hodges has been an Assistant Professor of Writing and Writing Center Instructor at Virginia

Conference Session

Integrating Mathematics, Science, and Engineering

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Günter Bischof, Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Department of Automotive Engineering,; Emilia Bratschitsch, Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Department of Automotive; Annette Casey, Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Department of Automotive Engineering,; Domagoj Rubesa, Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Department of Automotive Engineering,

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

is essential for their studies and their future profession. Project based learningturned out to be a particularly suitable method to demonstrate the need of mathematicalmethods, since there seems to be no better way of acquiring comprehension than if it arisesfrom personal experience. The students are confronted early on in their courses withchallenging problems arising in industry. These problems are usually of a multidisciplinarynature and have in common that the mathematical competencies needed for their solution areslightly beyond the students’ skills. Having realized the gap in their knowledge ofmathematical methods, students are eager to bridge it, thus drawing their attention towardstheir mathematics education. It is important to

Conference Session

Project and Model-Based Mathematics

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Dennis Berkey, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Bogdan Vernescu, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

industrial problems typical of those in which engineers would dependupon mathematics for solutions. This approach is based upon WPI's project-based style ofeducation, one that employs the engineering approach to problem solving broadly across thesciences and mathematics.This project oriented curriculum, introduced over 30 years ago at WPI, has facilitated a majorchange in mathematics education. In the past ten years WPI faculty have developed a successfulmodel that introduces real-world, industrial, projects in mathematics education, at all levels frommiddle school to the Ph.D. program and faculty research. The faculty and students affiliated withthe Center for Industrial Mathematics and Statistics have developed project collaborations withover 30

Conference Session

Project and Model-Based Mathematics

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sharlene Katz, California State University-Northridge; Bella Klass-Tsirulnikov, Sami Shamoon College of Engineering (formerly Negev Academic College of

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

courses for engineeringstudents and an intuitive approach to infinity with hands-on exercises for K-12 students. Inreference 8, the co-authors developed materials on topics from number theory, essential to thefield of data security and suitable for K-12 students, as well as for remedial or preparatorycourses for engineering freshmen.This paper represents the third part in this continuing project of developing methods forimproving the teaching and learning of mathematical concepts for engineering students. Itpresents an interesting context in which to teach simple matrix algebra, developing practicalapplications that can be used for both K-12 and college level algebra courses. The mainapplication demonstrated in this paper is the design of a

Conference Session

Integrating Mathematics, Science, and Engineering

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Quintanilla, University of North Texas; Nandika D'Souza, University of North Texas; Jianguo Liu, University of North Texas; Reza Mirshams, University of North Texas

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

metals and alloys from the University of Birmingham, England and the University of Tehran. He is a Full Professor in the area of Materials Science and Engineering in the Engineering Technology with joint appointment in the Materials Science and Engineering Departments. He has been a Principal Investigator and Project Director for several engineering education grants for undergraduate research experience, a bridge and mentoring program, departmental curriculum reforms, and innovative interdisciplinary project oriented engineering education programs. Page 12.938.1© American Society for Engineering

Conference Session

Mathematics in Transition

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anne McClain, University of Alabama-Birmingham; Dale Feldman, University of Alabama-Birmingham; Lee Meadows, University of Alabama Birmingham

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

applications ofinterest to middle school students. Although many wonderful resources are available thatprovide educators with a connection between engineering, science, mathematics, and real worldapplications, there is a need for development in support of inquiry-based engineering applicationtasks for the middle school mathematics classroom, as illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 1. Integration of Project GoalsAt the same time, narrow views of what constitutes engineering have resulted in increasinglyreduced pools of students interested in pursuing engineering as a career, a decrease ofapproximately 2,000 students from 1991 to 2002 [2,3]. This is especially true among groups,including women and minorities, who have

Conference Session

Innovative Instruction Strategies in Calculus

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elton Graves, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

also intended to helpstudents who received a “U” on the homework assignment to see the problems theymissed done correctly.Special ProjectsIn addition to their regular homework students are given four group projects during thecourse. These projects are to be done by groups of from three to five students withoutany aid from the counselors, the faculty, or members outside their group. The groupprojects are graded on the same scale as the homework problems. If a group gets a U onthe project, they must fix their mistakes and resubmit the project.TestingDuring the course students are given a test each Friday, after the problem session. One of Page

Conference Session

Innovative Instruction Strategies in Calculus

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Martha Allen, Georgia College & State University; Amy Kelley, Georgia College & State University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

AC 2007-1216: EMPHASIZING TEAMWORK AND COMMUNICATION SKILLSIN INTRODUCTORY CALCULUS COURSESMartha Allen, Georgia College & State University Dr. Martha Allen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, Georgia. She received her Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of South Carolina in 2001. She was selected as a 2001-2002 Project NExT National Fellow. Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) is a Mathematical Association of America program for new or recent Ph.D.s in mathematics. Dr. Allen is currently serving as co-director of the MAA's Southeastern Section NExT program. In 2005, Dr. Allen was the recipient of the

Conference Session

Mathematics in Transition

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sandra Linder, Math Out of the Box; Donna Gunderson, Math Out of the Box/Clemson University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

: Teachers' understandings of fundamental mathematics in China and the United States. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Page 12.830.12 Appendix A Math Out of the Box Developing Algebraic Thinking Reflection DaySchool:ID Code2 digit birth month, 2 digit birth day, 1 digit grade level ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ 1. Write about something mathematical that you learned during this Math Out of the Box project- in the professional development sessions, when working with other teachers in your school, or while planning and teaching the lessons for your students. 2. Describe how or

Conference Session

Applied Mathematics

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Johann Misterio, William Dickinson High School; Krshna Ravindra, Johns Hopkins University; Rene D Rivero, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Henry McCloud, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Levelle Burr-Alexander, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Nuggehalli Ravindra, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

, New Jersey Institute of Technology Levelle Burr-Alexander is a Project Manager of Instruction at the Center for Pre-College Programs at the New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNuggehalli Ravindra, New Jersey Institute of Technology Dr. Nuggehalli M. Ravindra is a professor of physics and is the director of the Joint Rutgers(Newark) - NJIT Graduate Programs in Applied Physics. He is an academic coordinator of the Upward Bound Mathematics & Science Programs at NJIT. Page 12.1585.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2007 Variation of Fractal Dimension of Leaves Based on Stem

Conference Session

Mathematics in Transition

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Gardner, Boise State University; Pat Pyke, Boise State University; Marcia Belcheir, Boise State University; Cheryl Schrader, Boise State University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

AC 2007-1497: TESTING OUR ASSUMPTIONS: MATHEMATICS PREPARATIONAND ITS ROLE IN ENGINEERING STUDENT SUCCESSJohn Gardner, Boise State University John F. Gardner is Professor & Chair of the Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Department at Boise State University. He is also Director of the Hewlett Foundation funded Engineering Schools of the West Initiative at Boise State. His current research interests, in addition to engineering education, include dynamic systems and sustainable energy systems.Pat Pyke, Boise State University Patricia A. Pyke is the Director of Education Research for the College of Engineering at Boise State University. She oversees projects in freshman programs, math support

Conference Session

Integrating Mathematics, Science, and Engineering

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jenna Carpenter, Louisiana Tech University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

sequence and an introductory science (chemistry, biology and physics) laboratoryseries. The mathematics sequence consists of calculus, differential equations, along with just-in-time algebra and trigonometry topics and a unit on statistics.One of the primary goals of our project is an improvement in student connections betweenscience and mathematics course content. The science laboratory course materials focus on morecomplex scientific problems requiring application of concepts/ techniques from each of thescience disciplines, as appropriate, and the use of mathematics in context. The sciencelaboratory series (chemistry, biology and physics) operates in a single cooperative, technologysupported laboratory designed to make possible appropriate

Conference Session

Mathematics in Transition

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Janet Callahan; Joe Guarino, Boise State University; Seung Youn Chyung, Boise State University; John Gardner, Boise State University; Amy Moll, Boise State University; Pat Pyke, Boise State University; Cheryl Schrader, Boise State University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

Ceramic Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana. Her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are in Materials Science and Engineering from University of California at Berkeley. Following graduate school Amy worked for Hewlett Packard in San Jose CA and in Colorado Springs, CO. Amy's research interests include microelectronic packaging, particularly 3-D integration and ceramic MEMS devices.Pat Pyke, Boise State University Patricia A. Pyke is the Director of Education Research for the College of Engineering at Boise State University. She oversees projects in freshman programs, math support, mentoring, outreach, and women’s programs. She earned a B.S.E. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Duke

Conference Session

Integrating Mathematics, Science, and Engineering

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shane Palmquist, Western Kentucky University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

expressions that they are trying to solve.AcknowledgementsThe author would like to express his sincere gratitude to the Foundation at our University forproviding funding for this project. The author would also like to thank the students of structuralanalysis, CE382 (fall 2006), for their patience and eagerness to learn.Bibliographic Information1. Seely, B.E., “The Other Re-engineering of Engineering Education, 1900-1965,” Journal of Engineering Education, Jul, 1999, pp. 285-294.2. Grinter, L.E. (Chair), et al., “Report of the Committee on Evaluation of Engineering Education, Journal of Engineering Education, April, 1955, pp. 25-63.3. Fromm, E., “The Changing Engineering Educational Paradigm,” Journal of Engineering Education, Apr, 2003

Conference Session

Applied Mathematics

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

S.K. Sen, Florida Institute of Technology; Gholam Ali Shaykhian, NASA

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

. This age is estimated to be about 13.7 × 109 years = 13.7billion years. According to the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe project of NASA, theestimated age of the universe is between 13.5 and 13.9 billion years. Thus to obtain the optimalglobal minimal path for a TSP of only 26 cities, the fastest available computer of 2006 wouldneed about 5 × 1017 years compared to which even the estimated age of the universe is anumerical zero. Even if a TSP solution is given, its verification is also intractable. This isbecause the TSP is an NP (nondeterministic polynomial time)-hard problem. Designing apolynomial-time deterministic algorithm for a TSP is and has been an open problem forcenturies. We, therefore, attempt to solve a symmetric TSP by