Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Informal Geometry In The Preparation Of Teachers: A New Mathematics Course At The University Of Virginia, L. D. Pitt

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Students require a rich variety of hands-on geometric experiences before they progress to more formal traditional geometric instruction. This fact has often been ignored in the mathematics preparation of today’s teachers. At the University of Virginia a new general education geometry course, The Shape of Space, is being developed that focuses on obtaining deep understandings of elementary geometry through physical and visual activities.

A Model For Faculty Collaboration In Preparing Virginia's K-8 Teachers, B. F. Risacher

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The overall goals of the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) [1] are for students to become good problem solvers and communicators about mathematics, to reason logically and to make connections within mathematics and to other disciplines such as in solving science problems. Unfortunately, the beliefs about teaching of many preservice teachers are not consistent with these goals. Furthermore, the college mathematics courses experienced by preservice teachers are generally in contrast to these goals. This study outlines a collaborative effort of three colleges to encourage faculty to adopt a more student-investigative style of instruction A planning team offered a semester of …

Experimental Design At The Intersection Of Mathematics, Science, And Technology In Grades K-6, R N. Giese, M. M. Mason

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Interdisciplinary courses, highlighting as they do the area(s) the disciplines have in common, often give the misperception of a single body of knowledge and/or way of knowing. However, discipline based courses often leave the equally mistaken notion that the disciplines have nothing in common. The task of the methods courses described in this paper is to reach an appropriate balance so that our pre-service elementary (K-6) teachers have a realistic perception of the independence and interdependence of mathematics and science. At the College of William and Mary each cohort of pre-service elementary teachers enrolls in mathematics and science methods courses …

Curriculum Restructuring At Lynchburg College: Effects Of Realignment To State-Mandated Competencies And Implications For K-6 Math And Science Teacher Preparation, W. Mckenzie, C. Messerschmidt

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Because Lynchburg College offers a four-year program to attain teacher licensure, current restructuring efforts have been aimed at targeting the professional studies requirements across a program of courses that are efficiently integrated. Math and science methods courses will be combined into a workshop course. A new general studies program has been approved which requires eight hours of lab sciences and three hours of math. A General Science course has been approved which will be geared towards pre-service teachers. The professional core requires an additional eight hours of lab sciences, totaling 16 hours in science, and six hours of math, geared …

Wonders Of Technology-Teaching Physics To Non-Scientists, V. A. Niculescu, P. Martin

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Wonders of Technology is a conceptual physics course developed for non—science majors. The approach taken here in the introduction of the physical concepts is to depict their role in today’s technology, specifically the technology familiar to the students, and also to emphasize the connection between technology, art, and culture from the historical perspective. Why this approach? The traditional method of teaching physics is perceived by many students as "user-unfriendly" — they think physics is difficult, abstract, and, in fact, of little or no relevance to everyday life. The course Wonders of Technology alleviates this perception by placing the students on …

Edis 788 Mathematics/Science/Education Field Project As A Capstone Experience In Five Year Ba/Mt Teacher Education Program, S. P. Plaskon

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

As a culminating experience, students in the Elementary Education Program Area at the University of Virginia are expected to engage in a field project/thesis experience in the final semester of their program of study. This session will provide an overview of the Field Project/Thesis Experience as it currently exists and will discuss possible variations to encourage more math and science collaborations.

Experiencing Science, An Introduction To "Real" Methods Of Science For The Preservice Teacher, D. L. Neely-Fisher, D. B. Hagan

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The "scientific method" presented in the middle school classroom introduces the experimental approach of science in a way that may actually bear little resemblance to the processes actually used by working scientists. Teachers equipped with an insight into the motivations, philosophy, tools, and culture of science will better convey an accurate and positive picture of science as a critically important human endeavor. The Experiencing Science course was designed to answer the challenge of giving the pre-service teacher and decision-maker better insight into actual processes used by scientists, in the context of each of the major disciplines.

Innovative Opportunities For Elementary And Middle School Teachers To Maintain Currency In Mathematics And Science: A Community College-School System Partnership, B. Ellis, M. Giacofci, D. Riley, P. Scott

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Since 1992 the Manassas Campus of Northern Virginia Community College – in response to requests from local school systems – has developed four innovative methods of assisting elementary, secondary and middle school teachers to enhance their content knowledge in science and mathematics, as well as integrate curriculum units for classroom presentation. These methods are based on the assumptions that: - While teachers at this level have fundamental understanding of math and science, if they wish to incorporate new concepts or technologies from these fields, graduate level content courses are generally beyond their background level. - Community College faculty can often …

Teaching Physical Science Through Technology: Middle School Vcu Phy 591, V. A, Niculescu, D. B. Hagan

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Teaching Physical Science through Technology is a new 3-credit laboratory-and-lecture based course designed to serve as an introduction to the teaching of physical science concepts at the middle school level. Physical science phenomena are presented through investigations of commonly known applications of technology and focus on the Virginia Science Standards of Learning for 6th Grade Science and the Physical Science courses. Topics include matter, gravity, mechanics, heat, optics, electricity and magnetism, and computers as seen in their roles in common devices. The development of the course includes assessment from six semesters, collaboration with other institutions including the Science Museum of …

Rapporteur's Report, W. E. Haver

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The agenda for the Statewide Conference places a number of important challenges for Virginia’s colleges and universities on the table. The new licensure requirements in the areas of mathematics and science for prospective K-8 teachers represent a major, and very much needed, change in current practice. It will be extremely difficult for those of us in the science, mathematics, and education departments to make the necessary changes to respond to this challenge. This report will attempt to measure the magnitude of the changes needed to produce the requisite numbers of adequately prepared teachers, the extent to which individual colleges and …

Data Visualization Tools For Science And Math, B. Kolvoord

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

As the computers available in schools become more powerful, more and more exciting tools are available to science and math students and teachers. Visualization tools, such as image processing, geographic information systems, modeling, and simulation software, are a class of tools with particular promise. These tools are being used in schools across the country to integrate computer use with the curriculum and to bring more hands-on inquiry to the students. A primary goal of using these computer-based tools is to aid students in developing a deeper understanding of the science and math (not the computers) and to help make difficult …

A Field Based Approach To Introductory Geology Instruction, G. R. Woodwell, J. L. Hayob

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

As part of the NSF-funded VCEPT project, geology faculty at Mary Washington College have developed and pilot tested a two-semester sequence of geology courses which are taught in a non-traditional, discovery oriented style. The guiding philosophy of the course development is to ensure that students learn about geological principles through collaborative learning in a variety of field settings that were carefully chosen to provide good examples of a range of geologic processes and environments. The design goals of these courses include improvement in student retention of concepts, increased student interest in earth science, improved critical thinking skills and the promotion …

Aims & Scope

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Editorial Board & Iowa Academy Of Science Officers And Directors

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Editorial Board & Iowa Academy Of Science Officers And Directors

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Osmia Spp. Reared In Artificial Nesting Sites In A Backyard Environment, R. L. Wilson, C. A. Abel, S. G. Mcclurg

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Controlled pollination in field cages is used at the United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service North Central Regional Plane Introduction Station (NCRPIS) for seed increase of several plane species. Honey bees, Apis mellifera L., have been used almost exclusively for several years. Recently we began investigating other pollinating insects for controlled pollination. 0smia cornifrons (Radoszkowski), a solitary bee imported from Japan, has been an excellent early-season pollinator. We placed domiciles of these bees in backyards of the NCRPIS staff to aid us in providing adequate numbers of bees for use in field cages the following growing season. …

Distribution And Persistence Of Phyllachora Species On Poaceae In Iowa, A. C. Gabel, L. H. Tiffany

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Phytlachora spp. on Poaceae were collected to determine species present, grass hosts and distribution in Iowa. From 1959-1996 the fungus was collected 240 times from 67 different sites in 35 counties. Seven species of Phytlachora were collected on 25 species from 13 genera of grasses. P. graminis was collected 89 times from 43 sites on four species of Agropyron, two species of Calamagrostis, three species of Elymus, Hystrix patula, Panicum virgatum, and Setaria glauca. Seventy-two specimens of P. luteo-maculata on Andropogon gerardii or Schiziichyrium scoparium were collected from 30 sites. The study included 20 collections of P. cynodontis on Bouteloua …

Editorial Board & Iowa Academy Of Science Officers And Directors

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Reform Of Preservice Science Education: An Example From A State-Supported University, R. Adams, G. L. Stringer

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The ongoing movement to reform the teaching and learning of mathematics and science began as an effort targeting grades K-12. This movement, however, also has significant implications for institutions of higher education, especially in the area of teacher preparation. Northeast Louisiana University has utilized an extensive system of support, including vital National Science Foundation funding, to redesign its science curriculum for elementary education majors. Four courses featuring the content areas of biology, chemistry, geosciences, and physics and integrated with respect to content and methodology were collaboratively developed by education and science faculty. and were approved as requirements for all preservice …

Demonstrations For Children Of All Age- The Cork Canon, S. Thornton

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Demonstrations are one of the most useful techniques for teaching science to anyone, regardless of age. Demonstrations attract attention and normally make the observer want to learn more about what is happening. This paper reports on The Cork Cannon, one of the favorite demonstrations done in the demonstration road show, Phun Physics, that travels to schools within about 60 miles of Charlottesville. The Department of Physics and the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Education sponsor this demonstration show, which was seen by about 8000 persons during the last school year. Although quite simple, the Cork Cannon demonstration is rich …

Using Technology As A Vehicle To Appropriately Integrate Mathematics And Science Instruction For The Middle School, M. M. Mason, R. N. Giese

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

At the College of William and Mary, pre-service middle school science and mathematics teachers enroll in their respective methods courses taught in the same time period. Both instructors emphasize the importance of the content pedagogy unique to their disciplines in their individual courses such as strategies for teaching problem solving, computation, proportional reasoning, algebraic and geometric thinking in mathematics, and strategies for teaching students how to "investigate" or design and conduct experiments in science. However, the two classes come together for sessions in which they examine the relationship of the two disciplines and the proper role of technology, both graphing …

Nebraska Summary 304: Massey Ferguson 6280 Diesel 32-Speed, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

ABOUT THE TEST REPORT AND USE OF THE DATA

The test data contained in this report are a tabulation of the results of a series of tests. Due to the restricted format of these pages, only a limited amount of data and not all of the tractor specifications are included. The full OECD report contains usually about 30 pages of data and specifications. The test data were obtained for each tractor under similar conditions and therefore, provide a means of comparison of performance based on a limited set of reported data.

EXPLANATION OF THE TEST PROCEDURES

Purpose

The purpose of …

Comparing Three Bee Species For Controlled Pollination Of Selected Brassicaceae, R. L. Wilson, C. A. Abel, R. L. Luhman

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Pollination of species of Brassicaceae for seed increase at the USDA-ARS North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station (NCRPIS) has been accomplished for several years by using nucleus hives of honey bees, Apis mellifera L., in field cages. Brassicaceae are cool season crops that need pollination from late April to early June in the north temperate zone. Overwintered hives of honey bees need time to strengthen (i.e., increase their numbers) and thus it is difficult to make enough nuclei to meet our early season pollinations needs. Purchasmg package bees from suppliers in the southern U.S. is an expensive alternative. In this …

Planting Method And Fertilization Timing Effects On Ridge-Till Corn, Keith A. Kohler, Mohammadreza Ghaffarzadeh, Richard M. Cruse

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Fertilizer application technology has improved fertilizer use efficiency in ridge-till systems, but little work on planting methods and application timing within these systems has been done. A study was conducted to evaluate corn (Zea mays 1.) response to injected nitrogen (N) fertilizer applied to different planting methods at common application times. The performance of the late spring soil nitrate and the basal stalk nitrate tests was examined within these systems. A continuous corn and a corn-soybean [Glycine max (1) Merr.] rotation were used in 1989-1991 at two Iowa locations on Nicolett and Monona series soils, line-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic …

Back Cover

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

The Species Richness Of Birds Visiting A Yard Is Influenced By The Feeders/Seeds Present, David Joseph Horn

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Although seed preferences of species that visit bird feeders have been well documented, we know little about feeder/seed combinations most appropriate for attracting highest species richness or increasing abundance of individual species. I studied how the species composition of birds visiting a feeding station was influenced by addition of feeders filled with mixed seed, thistle, and suet in a yard that previously contained only a feeder with sunflower seeds. Addition of a seed mixture consisting of hulled sunflower, hulled peanuts, hulled millet, and hulled "tree" nuts in an elevated platform feeder increased species richness and total number of birds visiting …

Chlorophyll Meter Assessments Of Corn Response To Nitrogen Management Practices, M. M. Siambi, D. L. Karlen, R. M. Shibles

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Environmentally sound nitrogen (N) management is necessary to simultaneously achieve high crop yields and protect surface and groundwater quality. We evaluated a hand-held chlorophyll meter as a diagnostic tool for improving management for corn (Zea mays L.). Five N fertilizer rates (0, 67, 134, 201 and 280 kg N ha^-1) were evaluated in one study, and in a second study, the meter was used to evaluate the N status of corn plants grown under varying tillage (chisel plow vs no-till), crop rotation (continuous corn vs corn-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]), and N management treatments. Meter readings were …

Book Review: The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook: For Prairies, Savannas, And Woodlands, Stephen D. Hendrix

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook: For Prairies, Savannas, and Woodlands. Stephen Packard and Cornelia F. Mutel, eds. 1997. Society for Ecological Restoration. 463 pages. ISBN 1-55963-319-0 hdbd.

The publication of the Tallgrass Restoration Handbook is an enormous step in the right direction for people who have already learned to appreciate and admire the beauty and utility of prairies and who now want to roll up their sleeves and begin the restoration of their own bit of tallgrass prairie. All of this volume excluding the first two introductory chapters (Part I) is dedicated to the practical aspects of prairie restoration.

Book Review: Iowa's Minerals: Their Occurrence, Origins, Industries, And Lore, Raymond R. Anderson

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Iowa's Minerals: Their Occurrence, Origins, Industries, and Lore. Paul Garvin. 1998. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City IA. vii + 260 pages. ISBN 0-87745-626-7 hdbd., ISBN 0-87745-627-5 (pbk.).

A mineral is defined as a "naturally occurring, chemically homogeneous crystalline solid." Every mineral has a composition, structure, and characteristics that make it uniquely different from every other mineral. In his new book, Paul Garvin, Professor of Geology at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, presents a uniquely different discussion of Iowa's Minerals. While this book does contain the requisite discussions of mineral origins, chemistry, crystallography, and other descriptive information, Garvin enhances …

Back Cover

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.