Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
Changing the Way Students Tackle Math
Operation STEM A National Science Foundation (NSF) STEP Grant
Lamar Bigsby & Anthony Brzozowski
The Youngstown State University Undergraduate Mathematics Conference
February 22nd, 2014
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM was created via an NSF-STEP grant in order to increase the number of students who successfully graduate with a STEM major
The main purpose of Operation STEM: to assist students through their Precalculus and Calculus classes, which traditionally have been a sticking point for majority of students pursuing a STEM degree.
Purpose & Background
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
Mission Operation STEM targets not only STEM majors, but all students in the class by providing them with:
2-week Summer Institute (prior to first fall semster) Support for Precalculus and Calculus courses which
includes:
2-3 STEM Peer Teachers in every classroom Mandatory class sessions which focus on practice material Project & Problem Based Learning
Organized review for tests and final exams Community support system of peers
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
Changing How Students Tackle MathEvery Mind is Different
Every human being learns differently. SPTs must adapt to teach concepts in
different ways. A VARK Test, or learning style test can be helpful.
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
Changing How Students Tackle MathEngage EVERY Student!
How to engage the ENTIRE class:Keep them off of phones/social mediaWorking in pairsWhiteboard activities One-on-one clarification
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
Changing How Students Tackle MathOffer More than the Book
Motivation of students
Extra materials and resources
• Worksheets that simulate homework/test problems
• Extra test review sessions• External resources such as Khan Academy
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
Changing How Students Tackle MathChallenging Problems: The Pentagon
𝑺𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉=𝟐𝟖𝟏𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆𝒔=𝟏𝟎𝟖°
493 meters
Step 1: Cut it up into 10 right trianglesStep 2: Find the area of one triangle
140.554⁰
180⁰-90⁰-54⁰= 36⁰
hStep 3: Multiply by # of triangles
𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂=𝑨=𝟏𝟐𝒃𝒉=
𝟏𝟐
(𝟏𝟒𝟎 .𝟓𝒎 ) (𝟏𝟗𝟑 .𝟒𝒎 )=𝟏𝟑𝟓𝟖𝟔 .𝟒𝒎𝟐
𝟏𝟑 ,𝟓𝟖𝟔 .𝟒𝒎𝟐∗𝟏𝟎𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆𝒔=𝟏𝟑𝟓 ,𝟖𝟔𝟒𝒎𝟐
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
Changing How Students Tackle Math
Challenging ProblemsGiven: Angular Speed of Both, Linear Speed on Earth, Diameter of Jupiter
Find: Linear Speed on Jupiter, Radius of Earth, # of Rotations Per Earth Day on Jupiter, Ratio of Jupiter’s radius to Earth’s
PROBLEM BASED
LEARNING
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
Changing How Students Tackle Math
Not Just a Study Session Applications of current math work Relating current math work to
future math problems Working with familiar faces
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
Changing How Students Tackle Math
Not Just Peer Teachers Consistent communication
Email and Texts Office Hours Blackboard
Not just in the classroom Social Events
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
Changing How Students Tackle Math
Exude Passion and
Confidence
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
February 22, 2014
Mission in Progress Results of Our First OpSTEM Semester
Over the 6 years, the highest Precalculus I pass rate at CSU was…..
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
February 22, 2014
Mission in Progress Results of Our First OpSTEM Semester
The first semester of Operation STEM was Fall 2013, and we surpassed that rate by 15%
The Fall 2013 Precalculus I pass rate: 81%
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
February 22, 2014
THANK YOU!
Anthony [email protected]
Lamar [email protected]
