Collaboration to Refine and Enhance Science Teaching (CREST) Welcome Teachers! Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Practice #5 Use Mathematics

Goal for the Day “Why do we have to do math? This is science.”

Using Mathematics & Computational Thinking “Although there are differences in how mathematics and computational thinking are applied in science and in engineering, mathematics often brings these two fields together by enabling engineers to apply the mathematical form of scientific theories and by enabling scientists to use powerful information technologies designed by engineers. Both kinds of professionals can thereby accomplish investigations and analyses and build complex models, which might otherwise be out of the question. (NRC Framework, 2012, p. 65)”

What does this mean for MS Science? “Mathematics is a tool that is key to understanding science.” As such, classroom instruction must include critical skills of mathematics.

What does this mean for MS Science? Digital Tools to Analyze Data Mathematical Representations Use Math Concepts to Test Design Solutions Apply Math Concepts to Questions & Problems Create Algorithms

What does this mean for MS Science? Digital Tools to Analyze Data Mathematical Representations Use Math Concepts to Test Design Solutions Apply Math Concepts to Questions & Problems Create Algorithms

What does this mean for MS Science? Digital Tools to Analyze Data Mathematical Representations Use Math Concepts to Test Design Solutions Apply Math Concepts to Questions & Problems Create Algorithms

What does this mean for MS Science? Digital Tools to Analyze Data Mathematical Representations Use Math Concepts to Test Design Solutions Apply Math Concepts to Questions & Problems Create Algorithms

What does this mean for MS Science? Digital Tools to Analyze Data Mathematical Representations Use Math Concepts to Test Design Solutions Apply Math Concepts to Questions & Problems Create Algorithms

What does this mean for MS Science? Digital Tools to Analyze Data Mathematical Representations Use Math Concepts to Test Design Solutions Apply Math Concepts to Questions & Problems Create Algorithms

Goal for the Day “Why do we have to do math? This is science.”

Gone Fishing Credit: August 2014 Issue of Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School

Activity! In November, U of M Scientists set up a research study here in Michiana at 5 pond locations. Each pond was stocked with 20 fish. BUT, no one wrote down which pond # was which! –Classic Michigan Your Mission Part I: Match pond #’s with actual “ponds”

Activity! KEY: –TROUT: Regular Goldfish –PERCH: Pretzel Goldfish –BASS: Fudge Brownie Graham Goldfish REMEMBER: –Tag your fish before you put them back in the “pond” –Record your results on your paper –Write down any calculations & reasoning –Bring results to Patrick when done

Activity Results! Pond NamePond Number St. Mary’s Lake3 St. Joseph’s Lake5 Juday Creek1 Diamond Lake2 Eagle Lake4

Activity! Your Mission: Part II Which environment is the most supportive for fish life? REMEMBER: –Only counting Tagged vs. Untagged, not “species” –Record your results on paper –Write down any calculations and your reasoning –Bring your results to Patrick

Teacher Hats How do you think this would go with students? What mathematical thinking was required? What would you expect from students for their reasoning?

Modeling an Imploding Star

LUNCH! Start back at 1 PM

Developing an Investigation using Mathematics