Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 2

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Aaron Brakoniecki, Boston University; Michael Ward, Boston University; Gretchen Fougere, Boston University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

piece • 1 yard of tape: free • 1 yard of string: free • 1 marshmallow: free Figure 1 – Text of Engineering Design Challenge TaskParticipants in the session were first introduced to the EDP, reviewing the different phasesincluding identifying the problem and constraints, developing possible solution paths, selecting apath and building a prototype, evaluating the process and making improvements. Attendeesbegan by working in pairs (one engineering undergraduate student and one mathematicseducation masters student) to design their towers and plan how to spend resources for theirtowers (see Image 1). Image 1 – Planning the TowerAfter this initial designing period, pairs then transitioned to

Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 2

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Aimee Cloutier, Texas Tech University; Jerry Dwyer, George Washington University; Sonya E. Sherrod, Texas Tech University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

the strategies involved in the game. Henceforth it wasbeneficial to include a break for game playing at times when students appeared to be tired or loseinterest.The games primarily involved two players competing against one another in various challengesthat included subtracting numbers to reach zero, eliminating virtual matchsticks to clear theboard, filling Sudoku type squares, and connecting dots to create network patterns. All of thegames involved a need to observe patterns and then plan ahead in strategic ways. Severalelements of classical problem solving were required to participate in these games. Many of thegames are in the NIM category such as that illustrated on the Archimedes’ Lab website.13Students began by competing against the

Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 3

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James E. Lewis, University of Louisville; Gerold Willing, University of Louisville; Thomas D. Rockaway, University of Louisville

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

; Sciences, the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, and the College of Education and Human Development intackling identified hurdles that contribute to poor retention (and thus low graduation rates) in ourrespective undergraduate STEM programs. PRIMES’ goals are quite straightforward: 1. A 25% increase of the number of Bachelor’s degrees awarded in biology, chemistry, geosciences, mathematics and physics in the College of Arts & Sciences by 2016. 2. A 25% increase of the number of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Engineering awarded in the J. B. Speed School of Engineering by 2016.The rationale underlying these two goals is substantial and compelling. The University ofLouisville’s 2020 Strategic Plan, a business and growth

Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 4

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Virgil U. Pierce, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley; Javier Angel Kypuros, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley; Shirley J. Mills, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

districts, we do not have a complete picture of the data todescribe our results.Bridge to Calculus – the Small-Scale InterventionTypically, more than half of first-year students majoring in engineering and computer science areplaced into courses below Calculus. A fifth to a quarter of the students begin their studies inCollege Algebra. This places these students significantly behind in an engineering or computerscience degree plan, and contributes to difficulties with retention in the majors and successfulcompletion of the major. Students electing majors in mathematics and science are similarly © American Society for Engineering Education, 2016 2016 ASEE National Conferenceaffected. We find

Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 2

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Muteb M. Alqahtani, Rutgers University; Arthur Belford Powell, Rutgers University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

development occurs through engagementin tool-mediated activities that allow for social interactions. Several studies use Vygotsky’snotion of mediation to explain learners’ interactions with technological tools in mathematicalactivities [for example, 4, 5-7]. Technological tools mediate learners’ activity and provideadditional tools and signs that can support students’ mathematical discourse and building ofmeaning. Helping students construct mathematical meaning while interacting with mathematicaltools requires teachers to carefully plan and implement how their students engage inmathematical activities. However, for mathematics teachers’ to use technological tools in theirclassrooms effectively, they need to learn how to use the tools. This creates a

Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 4

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Eliza Gallagher, Clemson University; Lisa Benson, Clemson University; Geoff Potvin, Florida International University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

) approximation, rational and irrational change of lesson plan, handling errors numbers in student presentations exponential growth, evaluating ex- listening skills, small-class activities, The More Things ponential expressions, instantaneous discussion techniques, gender issues, Change and average rates of change competitive students area and circumference of circles and assessment, use of journals, grading What is π Anyway? annuli, approximation, definitions of procedures, effectiveness of models, π and infinity, ratios without units

Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 3

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Edmund Tsang, Western Michigan University; Kenneth David Domingue, Western Michigan University ; Sarah Gray Hagen, Western Michigan University; Rebecca A. Scheffers, Western Michigan University; Lenore Yaeger; Katherine Fox, Western Michigan University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

notcontacted. We pick the February date to send the letter to allow students sufficient time to bettermake plan for their summer and to register in time for the Algebra II course at a communitycollege.]In 2015, such a letter was sent to the parents of 400 admitted students that were placed inAlgebra II. Of the total contacted, 333 did not attend our institution in Fall semester. Of thosewho attended our institution, 20 were “bumped” into Pre-Calculus in Fall semester because theypassed Algebra II at a community college with a grade of B or higher. There were 47 enrolledstudents who either did not take an Algebra II course at a community college or passed with agrade of B or higher. This is correlated to 29.9% of incoming students who were placed by

Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 4

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sandra Nite, Texas A&M University; G. Donald Allen; Jim Morgan, Charles Sturt University; Ali Bicer, Texas A&M University; Robert M. Capraro, Texas A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

additional practice.Results from this study, and subsequent studies of student success in the calculus sequenceafter the 3-week program has been effect longer, will add to the data that will affect futureprogram planning. Additional student surveys will be created to learn more about studentperspectives that affect their participation and success in the program. Studies will beexpanded to include longitudinal results as the number of participants that continue throughthe calculus sequence increases. The search for the most effective program possible willlikely be an unending process as we strive to support students in engineering calculuscourses.VII. AcknowledgementThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under

Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jing Zhang, Virginia State University; Yongjin Lu, Virginia State University ; Zhifu Xie, Virginia State University; Dawit Haile, Virginia State University; Keith Williamson, Virginia State University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

to which universitythey should collaborate with for their innovation project, relevance of a university tothe project should be put into priority over its research capacity (or its reputation).3.2.2. The University’s Game. A university, in order to maximize its payoff, need tolink to the correct firm (or innovation project) that allows the university to exploitits research capacity and support for students the most. The available variables for auniversity to plan the utilization of its research capacity are: (1) A firm’s investmentfor its innovation project M ; (2) The intensity of university’s engagement to theinnovation project β.Claim 4. The increase of the investment M in an innovation project increases theuniversity’s payoff ΠU from the

Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 3

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Doug Bullock, Boise State University; Kathrine E. Johnson; Janet Callahan, Boise State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

. Faculty perceptions seem to begenerally positive from the Calculus I reform1 and we will continue to monitor this. We willcontinue to rigorously analyze student performance by looking at course grade performance andpost-requisite course performance. We plan to also begin to monitor student performance incertain engineering courses for which Calculus I or II are prerequisites (Statics and Dynamics).AcknowledgmentsThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under GrantNos. DUE-0856815 (Idaho STEP), DUE-0963659 (I^3), and DUE-1347830 (WIDER). Anyopinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those ofthe author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science