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

companies, businesses, and government labs. These projects serve to motivate studentsto study mathematics and prepare them for interdisciplinary work in their careers. With fundingfrom NSF, SIAM, the GE Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and Intel, severalvertically integrated educational programs have been developed.IntroductionThe demand for professionals capable of modeling and simulating emerging technologies hasdramatically increased in recent years. As mathematics becomes more complex, and thenumerical modeling more sophisticated, the need for mathematically trained professionals isincreasing. Modeling, analysis, and computations performed by mathematicians in collaborationwith other professionals can provide technical advantages and

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

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

test these assumptions. We have found that more than 30% of oursuccessful students (those who earn bachelors degrees) began their college career at theeighth or tenth grade algebra level. Even more significantly, we found that the gradeearned in their first college level mathematics class was significantly correlated towhether or not they persisted in engineering while the level at which they beganmathematics study at the university was not. These results, if they prove to berepresentative, have significant implication for policy, admissions standards and programdevelopment to improve retention in engineering schools.IntroductionNearly every discussion about recruitment and retention of students in engineeringinvolves, or focuses on

Conference Session

Mathematics in Transition

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nirmala Gnanapragasam, Seattle University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

, state, national and international level. The process of establishing the club,development of a work schedule, various math competitions available toWashington State elementary school students and their levels of difficulty, andchallenges, rewards and lessons learned through the past seven years aredescribed. By getting involved in such programs engineers have an opportunityto teach students the art of problem solving along with team building, leadershipand negotiating skills, keeping schedules and meeting deadlines which areimportant skills for an engineering career. This is also a great opportunity tobuild a positive image of engineers among K-12 students and to attract girls toengineering.IntroductionThe Trends in International Mathematics

Conference Session

Innovative Instruction Strategies in Calculus

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elton Graves, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

these students more options in their academic career. Page 12.1324.10Because of the success we have had with the Fast Track Calculus program, we believethat it may be a program that other engineering schools may wish to try. Thus, theengineering schools could help their entering students, who have taken a high schoolcalculus course, more easily obtain their academic goals. Page 12.1324.11

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

AC 2007-976: FACILITATING ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS EDUCATION BYMULTIDISCIPLINARY PROJECTSGünter Bischof, Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Department of Automotive Engineering,Graz, Austria Throughout his career, Dr. Günter Bischof has combined his interest in science and engineering application. He studied physics at the University of Vienna, Austria, and acquired industry experience as development engineer at Siemens Corporation. Currently he teaches engineering mathematics in the Department of Automotive Engineering, Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, and conducts research in automotive engineering and materials sciences.Emilia Bratschitsch, Joanneum University of Applied Sciences

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

Guide calls for an ability to “read and communicate mathematics with clarity,”“write and speak mathematically,” “contribute effectively to group efforts,” and “communicatemathematics clearly in ways appropriate to career goals.”2 Page 12.598.2At our institution, Georgia College & State University (GCSU), we have about 90 mathematicsmajors. Roughly half of our math majors are pre-engineering majors. While we do not have aformal engineering major, we offer a transfer program in conjunction with the Georgia Institute ofTechnology. Calculus courses at GCSU are four credit hours, and a semester consists of fifteenweeks. Four credit hour courses