This book is designed to present mathematical problems and tasks that focus on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) curriculum and evaluation standards in the context of aerospace activities. It aims at actively engaging students in NCTM's four process standards: (1) problem solving; (2) mathematical reasoning; (3) communicating…

The existence of probability misconceptions at all levels has been well documented. Furthermore, these misconceptions have been shown to be widespread and highly resistant to change. Previous research has shown considerable success in overcoming misconceptions in the short term by basing the knowledge reconstruction process on problems which draw…

This book uses foods as catalysts for learning mathematical concepts. Each hands-on activity in this math center suggests accessible, healthful, and easy-to-prepare foods to be used in school or at home. An introduction to parents and teachers includes supplies list, gobble-up germs poster, and food guide pyramid and serving information. The…

A pivotal theorem which is of critical importance to statistical inference in probability and statistics is the Central Limit Theorem (CLT). The theorem concerns the sampling distribution of random samples taken from a population, including population distributions that do not have to be normal distributions. This paper contains a brief history of…

Games and puzzles in which a checkerboard can be used to develop mathematical concepts are described. (SD)

The value of including a unit on graph theory in the elementary school mathematics curriculum is discussed. A module for use in teaching graph theory to elementary school teachers is presented. (SD)

An algebra class asked: What is the smallest positive integer that is divisible by each integer less than or equal to ten? Students discovered factorials and a solution. Verifying the solution produced a series of numbers. Successive differences between entries, triangular arrays, and successive quotients finally led to Pascal's triangle. (KM)

Describes a group of chemistry experiments designed to convey to students the real and measurable nature of certain mathematical concepts. (BR)

The author observes that checking the closure property is redundant for most number systems and therefore hard for students to understand. He defines several systems which are not closed, develops two concepts related to closure, and provides many related examples. (SD)

Presents a report of the mathematical requirements in physics and chemistry courses as these relate to studying biology at various levels. (PEB)

In this article and part 2, the author focuses on how an individual appropriates notions from the socially-sanctioned body of knowledge called mathematics. Specifically, the author is concerned with how students, to a greater or lesser extent, internalise mathematical ideas that exist in the social world (on the chalkboard, in textbooks, in the…

This is one in a series of publications designed for parents and teachers to help children acquire developmentally appropriate basic educational skills at home and in school. Topics included are: (1) "What is math?" explaining mathematical concepts such as number, measurement, space, and time; (2) "How do children learn about…

This five-lesson unit is designed to give students a flavor of what the study of economics is about, to strengthen mathematical concepts the students already know, to allow them to experience the interrelationship between the two fields of mathematics and economics and to experience success and enjoyment. Topics of instruction include: (1) types…

Arguing that a major re-thinking of the mathematics curriculum is needed, this paper urges two-year colleges to take the lead in curriculum revision. Section I suggests that the pre-calculus orientation of high school mathematics may be inappropriate, viewing mathematics related to computers and dependent on computers for computation as more…