Math + Biology. It adds up!
Explore student-driven activities that integrate key science and math practices identified in NGSS and CCSS. Activities involve data collection & analysis, graphing, and scale concepts.
Summary:
Integration of math into science classrooms is becoming increasingly important with the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the Common Core State Standards for Math (CCSS-M). This session highlights two activities developed by NIH SEPA-funded Project NEURON that cover key science concepts and critical math and data analysis skills identified in NGSS and CCSS.
First, participants use Rat Recall, a simulated experiment, to test the effects of glucose and adrenalin on memory. Participants collect and analyze data, and discuss findings. The investigation addresses CCSS-M “Interpreting Categorical & Quantitative Data” and “Making Inferences & Justifying Conclusions.”
Second, participants construct a scaled “microbe mural” to learn about diversity of microbial sizes and to compare them to everyday objects. This activity addresses the NGSS practice “using mathematics & computational thinking.” It also addresses CCSS-M “Ratios & Proportional Relationships,” as students use ratio concepts and reasoning to solve problems.
Participants will reflect on the activities to discuss how they address the NGSS and CCSS math-related standards and how they might be modified to best support student learning in their own classrooms.
Sahid Rosado Lausell, Chandana Jasti*, and Barbara Hug*. (2015). Workshop at the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) National Conference on Science Education, Chicago, IL.
*Conference presenter
