CMA 103 - CURRENT TRENDS & TECHNIQUES IN TEACHING Topic 1: Scientific Literacy Topic 2 : Scientific Competency Marjorie M. Estuita MAT – Math Dr. Evangeline Sangalang Professor
To define scientific literacy and scientific competency. To understand the significance of scientific literacy and scientific competency in today’s world OBJECTIVES
Why Is Science Literacy So Important? According to Discover Magazine , “scientific literacy is the knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes required for personal decision making, participation in civic and cultural affairs, and economic productivity.” Without scientifically literate individuals, the principles of science would exist only in textbooks or on the periodic table of the elements. Scientific Literacy
Science literacy allows students to utilize skills and methods for productive endeavors such as: Reading and comprehending articles about scientific topics Explaining or forecasting various types of natural phenomena Determining the accuracy of scientific information by evaluating both the sources and the methodology used to acquire it In a world where inaccurate or misleading information can spread quickly, students must develop the science literacy required to make well-informed determinations. Scientific Literacy
Connections between science and mathematics seems natural. First, mathematics can be used in science to organize and analyze data in tables and graphs. Second, mathematics can help represent scientific phenomena and understand scientific concepts. Student learning should benefit when teachers make the connections between science and mathematics explicit, because science provides concrete examples of abstract mathematical ideas, and mathematics helps students achieve deep understanding of science concepts (McBride and Silverman 1991). Scientific Literacy
Mathematics helps us to understand science, and to design, conduct, and analyze the results of scientific experiments. Science requires us to collect data, interpret it for significant patterns, and make conclusions that further our knowledge. To collect and analyze data, students must be able to apply mathematical content and practices to: Select appropriate tools to gather and analyze data Use tools to model the data by describing it mathematically Reason quantitatively to understand the data Reason abstractly to draw conclusions Scientific Literacy
Strategies to help students Different science content makes use of different mathematical concepts and strategies. However, there are some concepts and strategies that students should always consider. For example, it is important to: Help students understand that a good scientific question is one where you can investigate phenomena and predict outcomes (answers) based on patterns. Have students consider how mathematics could aid in their investigations. Scientific Literacy
Emphasize big ideas — those that have explanatory power within and across scientific disciplines and can connect to real-world problems. Mathematics can help make these connections by describing behavior using language that can transfer across subjects. (See UDL Checkpoint 7.2: Optimize relevance, value, and authenticity(opens in a new window) .) Use language that emphasizes the underlying mathematics when providing students with positive and substantive feedback to correct misunderstandings. Scientific Literacy
Integrating technology There are many high-quality technology tools available — either for free or at a low cost — to support students as they learn about mathematics and apply their knowledge to other subjects. Examples of the free technology tools include Desmos(opens in a new window) (an online graphing calculator), Stat Silk(opens in a new window) (a visualizing and mapping tool), and the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives(opens in a new window) . Scientific Literacy
There are also many interactive and other multimedia resources that students can access to build background knowledge. Some examples of science-focused resources are provided below: Stellarium (opens in a new window) is a 3D sky application that allows you to explore what constellations look like from different parts of the world, and to understand that they look different depending on where you are. Scientific Literacy
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Biointeractives (opens in a new window) are videos, animations, and simulations that address new research in the life sciences. The National Science Digital Library(opens in a new window) ’s collection is made up of resources from numerous STEM education organizations. Scientific Literacy
In the classroom Mrs. Martin’s Grade 5 science class previously conducted an experiment to study how physical and chemical changes affect the mass of various substances. Now, she is going to have students analyze the data they collected and draw conclusions based on their observations. She recently introduced the class to the coordinate system, which allows students to graph and analyze their data. Scientific Literacy
Mrs. Martin sees this as a good opportunity to reinforce their mathematics learning and practice plotting data points. Her specific objective is to have students graph data on the coordinate plane and use the graph to analyze the data. Her objective aligns with the mathematics Common Core State Standards, specifically CCSS.Math.5.G.A.2(opens in a new window) (Represent real world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane and interpret coordinate values of points in the context of the situation). Scientific Literacy
In addition to relying on her interactive whiteboard, she will have students use a Google Spreadsheet to collect and organize data, and a graphing tool to create a graph of their data. As a warm-up activity, Mrs. Martin graphs a sample data set using the Shodor Scatter Plot(opens in a new window) . Scientific Literacy
Competence in science refers to the ability and willingness to use the body of knowledge and methodology employed to explain the natural world, to identify questions and to draw evidence-based conclusions. These competences should enable individuals to better understand the advances, limitations and risks of scientific theories, applications and technology in societies at large (in relation to decision-making, values, moral questions, culture, etc.). Individuals should also be able to recognize the essential features of scientific inquiry and could communicate the conclusions and reasoning that led to them. SCIENTIFIC COMPETENCY
PISA defines science competency as the extent to which a student: i ) possesses scientific knowledge and uses that knowledge to identify questions, acquire new knowledge, explain scientific phenomena and draw evidence-based conclusions about science-related issues; ii) understands the characteristic features of science as a form of human enquiry; iii) shows awareness of how science and technology shape the material, intellectual and cultural environment; and iv) engages in science-related issues and with the ideas of science, as a reflective citizen. SCIENTIFIC COMPETENCY
PISA 2006 assessed students’ ability to perform scientific tasks in a variety of situations, ranging from those that affect their personal lives to wider issues for the community or the world. The open-ended and multiple-choice tasks measured students’ performance in relation both to their science competencies and to their scientific knowledge. SCIENTIFIC COMPETENCY
In today's increasingly complex world, science and technology play a vital role in advancing human knowledge and solving global challenges. As students, understanding the importance of mathematics in the scientific realm is crucial for success in a variety of disciplines. Mathematics serves as the foundation for many scientific fields and provides a systematic approach to problem-solving and critical thinking. This explores the significance of mathematics for students and highlights the ways in which it contributes to their academic and professional growth. SCIENTIFIC COMPETENCY
First and foremost, mathematics is the language of science. It provides a powerful tool for scientists to express ideas, formulate theories, and develop models that explain natural phenomena. Many scientific concepts like force, energy, and velocity rely on mathematical equations to quantify their properties and relationships. By mastering mathematics, students acquire the ability to translate complex scientific ideas into concise, logical, and coherent expressions that facilitate better communication and understanding. SCIENTIFIC COMPETENCY
Moreover, mathematics is indispensable for conducting scientific research. It enables researchers to analyze data, test hypotheses, and draw valid conclusions based on empirical evidence. Statistics, for instance, plays a significant role in biology, psychology, and social sciences, where researchers must deal with large datasets and make inferences from them. Similarly, calculus is essential for understanding the dynamics of physical systems, while linear algebra and differential equations have wide-ranging applications in physics, chemistry, and engineering. By developing strong mathematical skills, students can navigate the complexities of research and make meaningful contributions to their respective fields. SCIENTIFIC COMPETENCY
Mathematics also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are integral to the scientific method. Students are often required to solve complex problems that involve multiple variables and constraints. By applying mathematical principles and techniques, they can systematically analyze these problems, identify patterns, and devise innovative solutions. This logical reasoning and abstraction process enables students to think more creatively and independently, enhancing their ability to tackle novel challenges and adapt to changing circumstances. SCIENTIFIC COMPETENCY
Furthermore, the interdisciplinary nature of modern science necessitates a strong foundation in mathematics. As the boundaries between scientific disciplines continue to blur, researchers are increasingly required to collaborate and draw upon knowledge from multiple fields. For example, bioinformatics, a rapidly growing field combining biology, computer science, and mathematics, requires mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and algorithm development expertise. Similarly, climate scientists must possess a deep understanding of mathematical models to study and predict the behavior of complex climate systems. Students with a solid grounding in mathematics are better prepared to navigate the interdisciplinary landscape and contribute to the advancement of knowledge across various domains. SCIENTIFIC COMPETENCY
Lastly, proficiency in mathematics opens diverse career opportunities for students. In addition to traditional academic and research roles, graduates with strong mathematical skills are highly sought after in sectors such as finance, data analysis, software development, and engineering. As the demand for professionals with quantitative skills continues to grow, students with a strong foundation in mathematics are well-positioned to succeed in an increasingly competitive job market. SCIENTIFIC COMPETENCY