Impact of an Authentic Environment on Learning of Math and Science
- Conference
- Location
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Salt Lake City, Utah
- Publication Date
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June 23, 2018
- Start Date
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June 23, 2018
- End Date
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July 27, 2018
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Aerospace
- Tagged Topic
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Diversity
- Page Count
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11
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--30599
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/30599
- Download Count
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1228
Paper Authors
Chadia A. Aji Tuskegee University
Chadia Affane Aji is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Tuskegee University. Dr. Aji received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Mathematics from Auburn University and a Bachelor in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University. Her research interests lie in the areas of numerical analysis, computational applied mathematics, complex analysis, and on improving students' learning in STEM disciplines. Dr. Aji is involved in retention activities at Tuskegee University. In particular, she works closely with sources on campus to design strategies to assist incoming freshmen cope with first year mathematics classes. She developed teaching modules to improve students' learning in mathematics using technology.
M. Javed Khan Tuskegee University
Dr. M. Javed Khan is Professor and Head of Aerospace Science Engineering Department at Tuskegee University. He received his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University, M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the US Air Force Institute of Technology, and B.E. in Aerospace Engineering from the PAF College of Aeronautical Engineering. He also has served as Professor and Head of Aerospace Engineering Department at the National University of Science and Technology,Pakistan. His research interests include experimental aerodynamics, aircraft design and engineering education.
Abstract
The paper provides details of a teacher professional development workshop on an authentic learning environment incorporating lessons based on hands-on activities on a flight simulator. The workshop design was based on best practices for teacher Professional Development (PD). The attitudes of teachers towards the use of technology were measured during the PD and are shared in this paper. Subsequently, a summer camp using the same learning environment was conducted for middle school students to learn selected math and science concepts. The results of the impact on the student participants of the summer camp are also presented in this paper. The participants learned the use of spreadsheets to analyze and plot data collected during the hands-on activities with the flight simulator. A within-subject quasi-experimental design (pre-post) was used to measure changes in attitudes towards Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The changes in content knowledge of the selected math and science concepts were also measured. Analysis of the pre-post responses to a 65-item STEM-attitudes survey provided interesting insight into the differences between males and females in their attitudes. Analysis of the pretest and post-test results of the math and science concepts instrument indicated the effectiveness of the intervention on math concepts.
This research is funded by the National Science Foundation.
A. Aji, C., & Khan, M. J. (2018, June), Impact of an Authentic Environment on Learning of Math and Science Paper presented at 2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--30599
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