The Bio-Math Connection

该项目将为高中学生开发15个模块，将生物、计算和数学与相应的教师材料和专业发展活动联系起来。该项目将以罗格斯大学（新布伦瑞克）、离散数学和理论计算机科学中心（DIMACS）、数学及其应用联盟（COMAP）和科罗拉多州立大学的丰富经验为基础，并由它们合作开展。这些模块将利用涉及信息处理的生物现象的方法，在三个有利于高中水平学习的说明性领域：生物信息学和计算生物学，流行病学的数学方法和生态学的数学方法。这些领域可能会为高中课堂带来生物科学和数学科学之间的当代联系，从而增加学生学习这两门学科的动机。这些模块将包括独立的文本和问题情境（包括基于网络的互动材料），可以单独用于高中数学课程或生物课程，也可以用于生物数学综合课程。大多数模块将包括大约10个40分钟的课堂会议，而少数模块将包括1-2节可以插入现有课程的课程。所有模块的开发将分四个阶段进行，其中包括由参与模块开发的教师进行试点测试、由参加培训讲习班（至少五所学校）的教师进行实地测试、评价和传播。在项目的前三年，模块将免费提供给高中数学/生物教师（印刷和电子格式）。将进行形成性和总结性评估，以审查项目的优点/影响。

This project will develop 15 modules for high school students that connect biology, computation, and mathematics with corresponding teacher materials and professional development activities. The project will build on the extensive experience of and be conducted as collaboration among Rutgers University (New Brunswick), the Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science (DIMACS), the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP), and Colorado State University. The modules will draw on an approach to biological phenomena as involving information processing, in three illustrative areas conducive to learning at the high school level: Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Mathematical Methods in Epidemiology, and Mathematical Methods in Ecology. These areas are likely to bring excitement about contemporary interconnections between the biological and mathematical sciences to the high school classrooms, hence increase student motivation to study both subjects. The modules will include self-contained text and problem situations (including web-based interactive materials) that can be used separately in high school mathematics courses or biology courses, as well as in Bio-Math integrated courses. Most modules will include about ten 40-minute class meetings, whereas a few will include 1-2 lessons that can be inserted into the existing curriculum. All modules will be developed within a four-phase process that includes pilot testing by teachers who are also involved in module development, field testing by teachers who received training workshops (at least five schools), evaluation and dissemination. Modules will be made available to high school mathematics/biology teachers, free of charge, during the first three years of the project (print and electronic formats). Both formative and summative evaluation will be conducted to examine the merit/impact of the project.