A Mathematics, Science and Technology Program for Non-Technical Majors

非技术专业数学、科学与技术课程

• 批准号: 9850039
• 负责人: Stephen Thornton
• 金额: $ 20万
• 依托单位: University of Virginia Main Campus
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1998
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1998-09-15 至 2004-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9850039&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Mathematics; Science; Technology; Program; Non

Project Summary A Mathematics, Science and Technology Program for Non-Technical Majors The University of Virginia is a vigorous, modern institution whose purpose is to enrich young minds by stimulating a spirit of inquiry directed toward understanding the nature of the universe and the role of mankind in it. U.S. News and World Report has ranked the University of Virginia as the best public university for four consecutive years, and has also ranked UVa eleventh among a peer group of "top national universities" where faculty have "an unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching." Liberal education, which includes scientific and technological literacy, is the central intellectual concern of the university, not only in the curricula of the College of Arts and Sciences, but also as a foundation for professional undergraduate programs. The goal of the project is to improve the scientific literacy of students at the University of Virginia on two fronts: by preparing prospective K-8 teachers in SME&T content and best teaching practices; and to provide future business, law, and government leaders with a broad background in SME&T disciplines so that they are better able to evaluate scientific information and make informed judgments about technical issues. All graduates should leave the university with a basic understanding of SME&T, but the need is most critical for those students who will teach the next generation. As part of this project, three mathematics courses and one science course will be developed to complete a coherent sequence of mathematics, science, and technology courses that will give prospective K-6 teachers both the content knowledge and pedagogy necessary to become leaders in educational reform efforts. The courses will use hands-on activities and technology as part of a well thought-out plan for active learning. A two-semester capstone course will integrate math, science, and technology concepts as students work in groups on research projects with mentors from the m athematics, science, engineering or medical faculty. Science and math methods courses taught in the Curry School of Education will complement the content courses. The high-technology business sector is growing at a phenomenal rate, creating an urgent need for a technically literate work force. A steering committee with representatives of the professional schools of law and business, local school divisions, as well as business and government leaders will study requirements and propose a course of study for an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary major addressing the emerging high-technology needs of today's work force. A science, mathematics, and technology major within the College of Arts and Sciences will provide a broad background encompassing several disciplines in mathematics, science and engineering. This new major will also serve the needs of prospective middle school teacher science and mathematics teachers. Finally, seminars and workshops for faculty and graduate teaching assistants sponsored by the University of Virginia Teaching Resource Center will encourage more effective teaching for all students, but particularly for non-technical majors in science and mathematics courses. A new position will be established within the Teaching Resource Center for a faculty consultant who will work with faculty and graduate teaching assistants on best teaching practices for small laboratory classes as well as large lecture classes.

项目概要 面向非技术专业的数学、科学和技术项目 弗吉尼亚大学是一所充满活力的现代化机构，其宗旨是通过激发探究精神来丰富年轻人的思想，以了解宇宙的本质以及人类在其中的作用。 《美国新闻与世界报道》连续四年将弗吉尼亚大学评为最佳公立大学，并将弗吉尼亚大学在“顶尖国家大学”同行组中排名第十一，这些大学的教师“对本科教学有着异常强烈的承诺”。 包括科学和技术素养在内的通识教育是大学关注的核心智力问题，不仅体现在文理学院的课程中，而且也是专业本科课程的基础。 该项目的目标是在两个方面提高弗吉尼亚大学学生的科学素养：通过为未来的 K-8 教师提供 SME&T 内容和最佳教学实践方面的准备； 为未来的商业、法律和政府领导人提供中小企业和科技学科的广泛背景，以便他们能够更好地评估科学信息并对技术问题做出明智的判断。 所有毕业生在离开大学时都应该对 SME&T 有基本的了解，但对于那些将教下一代的学生来说，这一需求最为关键。 作为该项目的一部分，将开发三门数学课程和一门科学课程，以完成一系列连贯的数学、科学和技术课程，为未来的 K-6 教师提供成为教育改革工作领导者所需的内容知识和教学法。 这些课程将使用实践活动和技术作为深思熟虑的主动学习计划的一部分。 为期两个学期的顶点课程将整合数学、科学和技术概念，学生将与来自数学、科学、工程或医学院的导师一起开展研究项目。 柯里教育学院教授的科学和数学方法课程将补充内容课程。 高科技商业部门正在以惊人的速度增长，迫切需要一支具有技术素养的劳动力。 由法律和商业专业学院、当地学部以及商业和政府领导人代表组成的指导委员会将研究要求并提出跨学科或多学科专业的学习课程，以满足当今劳动力新兴的高科技需求。文理学院的科学、数学和技术专业将提供涵盖数学、科学和工程多个学科的广泛背景。 这个新专业还将满足未来中学教师科学和数学教师的需求。 最后，由弗吉尼亚大学教学资源中心主办的针对教师和研究生助教的研讨会和讲习班将鼓励所有学生进行更有效的教学，尤其是科学和数学课程的非技术专业。 将在教学资源中心内设立一个新职位，担任教师顾问，该顾问将与教师和研究生助教合作，研究小型实验室课程和大型讲座课程的最佳教学实践。