Albertson College of Idaho
Physical Models in Mathematics for Education Majors
(6 Week Winter Session Course - 6 hrs/wk)
(4-yr Residential Liberal Arts)
Target Audience: Elementary education majors
Course Goal: Improve conceptual understanding of mathematics for pre-service teachers
Course Description: A course for elementary teachers in which mathematical concepts (including ratios, functions, statistics, and matrix algebra) are developed through hands-on physical science activities (including geology, chemistry, and physics). Included will be an introduction to scientific inquiry, practice with experimental methods, micro-computer-based instruction, statistical software (including MiniTAB and EXCEL), and mathematical software (MathCAD).
Assessment:
Homework Portfolio (30%)
Activity reports (20%)
Exams (50%)
Schedule:
| WK | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 1 | Functions MBL Kinematics (distance/time) |
Linear Graph MBL Kinematics (velocity/time) |
EXCEL modeling of kinematics | Ratios Maps |
Ratios Maps |
| 2 | Non-linear Functions MBL Kinematics (gravity) |
Distance, velocity, and acceleration | EXCEL modeling of kinematics | REVIEW | EXAM 1 |
| 3 | Simultaneous Linear equations Geologic Structure |
MathCAD Matrix Algebra Introduction |
Simultaneous linear equations Circuits |
Simultaneous linear equations Circuits |
MathCAD Matrix Algebra |
| 4 | Exponential Functions Radioactive decay |
Exponential functions Radioactive decay |
Exponential functions Radioactive decay |
REVIEW | EXAM 2 |
| 5 | Trigonometric functions |
Parallax | Topographic Maps and Triangulation | Slope Area |
Work Constant Force |
| 6 | Work Variable Force Springs &Things |
Numerical Integration |
Numerical Integration |
REVIEW | EXAM 3 |
| Physics Module | Projects | Mathematics | Geology | Chemistry |
| Radioactive Decay | 100 pennies/box radioactive halflife |
Exponentials, Logs Use EXCEL present data graphically, Modeling Fractions |
Absolute Dating | Structure of Atom Atomic decay |
| Kinematics | Sonic Ranger: position-time, velocity-time graphs | Functions, Slopes, Negative Numbers | Plate Tectonic Motions and Velocities | |
| Force (Gravity) | Drop different mass objects and observe how they fall. | Functions, Graphs, Quadratic, Predict fall time from theoretical equations | Mass movement | |
| Density and Volume | Archimedes Experiment | Solid Volumes, Hypothesis testing, Approximation | Specific Gravity | |
| Spring Force - Work | Springs and Things | Integration (Numerical), Theoretical Work given and tested | Elastic Properties of Materials | |
| Scales, Conversions | Leaning Tower of Pisa, Maps (land area), Solar System | Ratio, mapping, trigonometry | Topographic studies, geologic structure |
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