This study investigated how students reason about the partial derivative and the directional derivative of a multivariable function at a given point, using different graphical representations for the function in the problem statement. Questions were formulated to be as isomorphic as possible in both mathematics and physics contexts and were given…

In this study, we examined graphical representations in several mathematics, science, and engineering textbooks and practitioner journals with the goal of identifying similarities and differences across these sources. To do this, we drew from the extant research on students interpreting graphs and reasoning covariationally to develop a framework…

This paper is a continuation of an earlier discussion in this journal about adhering to principles of mathematics while presenting function graphs in physics. As in the previous paper, the importance of the vertical line test was examined, this paper delves more in-depth, and it pinpoints a need for presenting graphs with a continuous rate of…

Most students begin their university studies with adequate mathematical skills to succeed in general chemistry. However, students have a demonstrated difficulty with the application of math in a chemistry context. The ability to apply skills to new contexts is known as transfer, and understanding and enhancing transfer of graphing skills into the…

Science as inquiry and mathematics as problem solving are conjoined fraternal twins attached by their similarities but with distinct differences. Inquiry and problem solving are promoted in contemporary science and mathematics education reforms as a critical attribute of the nature of disciplines, teaching methods, and learning outcomes involving…

Current educational reform calls for increased integration between science and mathematics to overcome the shortcomings in students' quantitative skills. Data Nuggets (free online resource, http://datanuggets.org) are worksheets that bring data into the classroom, repeatedly guiding students through the scientific method and making claims…

Middle school students need to know about energy concepts and how they can reduce their energy use. New energy-monitoring tools provide powerful opportunities for students to engage in authentic investigations rich in the science practices described in "A Framework for K-12 Science Education" (NRC 2012), while at the same time advancing their…

The teaching of scientific subjects usually require laboratories where students can put the theory they have learned into practice. Traditionally, electronic programmable calculators, dedicated software, or expensive software simulation packages, such as MATLAB have been used to simulate scientific experiments. Recently, spreadsheet programs have…

Coach is an activity-based, open computer environment for learning and doing mathematics, science, and technology in an inquiry approach, developed in the last twenty-five years at the AMSTEL Institute of the University of Amsterdam. It offers a versatile set of integrated tools for data collection, data analysis, modelling and simulation, and for…

Investigates 10th grade students' ability to handle data and interpretation by using a variety of tasks. Discusses the importance of developing student discussion as a route to better conceptual understanding of data presented in graphical form. (Contains 15 references.) (Author/YDS)

Examines the line graphing ability of middle/high school students (N=625) to provide baseline data on the mastery of line graphing subskills. Results show that seventh- and eighth-grade students were less successful in graphing than high school students, suggesting that graphing skills should be introduced and emphasized in earlier grades. (JN)

This book looks at how teachers implement national math and science standards in their classrooms. Teacher-authored chapters provide insights into how children think and reason as they pose questions, collect data, and build data models to answer their questions. While the spotlight is primarily on student understanding and its development over…

As one way of applying and enriching mathematics instruction through integration with science, four mini-projects'' are briefly presented. The three topics are oil molecule estimation, animal classification, graphing and genetic sequences. (MS)

Addresses three issues of Calculator-based Ranger (CBR) activities on graphing abilities: (a) the effect of CBR activities on graphing abilities; (b) the extent to which prior knowledge about graphing skills affects graphing ability; and (c) the influence of instructional styles on students' graphing abilities. Indicates that CBR activities are…