Success In Mathematics through Project-based Learning Experiences

越来越多的美国行业表示需要大量熟练的技术人员来填补各种经济部门的现有和新兴工作岗位。 社区学院是唯一适合与区域产业结盟，以培养熟练的技术劳动力。 许多职业和技术教育（CTE）课程需要先决条件的数学课程，一直是学生的障碍。 对数学的恐惧是有据可查的，这已被证明是阻止其他有能力的学生在CTE课程中攻读学位和证书的原因。 独立社区学院（ICC）将采用基于证据的实践方法，利用3D制造实验室的能力为CTE特定的数学课程提供背景。 通过积极的学习策略，该团队将鼓励学生接受数学概念和先进制造等领域必不可少的技能之间的相关联系。 独立社区学院将建立一个商业和工业领导团队（BILT），以进一步指导和情境化数学内容，以满足地区雇主的需求。 在三年的时间里，ICC预计将提高数学课程的成功率和CTE课程的持续率。 两个并行的策略，告知这个项目是：1）建立一个BILT，和2）利用校园内的马萨诸塞州理工学院（MIT）认证的制造实验室，情境化的数学教学使用主动学习策略。除了课程指导外，BILT还将通过模拟面试、客座讲座和其他个性化互动来增强CTE课程。ICC制造实验室将利用他们的数字制造设备，设计软件和工作室空间，为CTE课程的学生增加传统数学教学的背景。 ICC Fab Lab是国际Fab Lab网络的成员，最初由麻省理工学院发起。ICC的Fab Lab经理将与ICC的数学教师合作，开发符合区域行业所需技能和学生自然好奇心的课程。该项目的成功实践将通过国际Fab Lab网络在全州范围内传播。该项目由先进技术教育计划资助，该计划侧重于推动国家经济的先进技术领域的技术人员的教育。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

A growing number of American industries have voiced a need for a large pool of skilled technicians to fill available and emerging jobs in a variety of economic sectors. Community Colleges are uniquely suited to align with regional industries to train the skilled technical workforce. Many career and technical education (CTE) courses require pre-requisite mathematics courses that have been a barrier for students. There is a well-documented fear of mathematics that has been shown to keep otherwise capable students from pursuing degrees and certificates in CTE programs. Independence Community College (ICC) will use an evidence-based, hands-on approach that will leverage the capabilities of a 3D fabrication lab to provide context for CTE specific mathematics courses. Through active learning strategies, the team will encourage students to embrace relevant connections between mathematical concepts and skills that are essential in fields like advanced manufacturing. Independence Community College will establish a Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT) to further guide and contextualize mathematics content to address the needs of regional employers. Over the three-year period, ICC expects to increase success rates in mathematics courses, and persistence rates in CTE programs. Two parallel strategies that inform this project are: 1) the establishment of a BILT, and 2) utilization of an on-campus Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) certified fabrication laboratory to contextualize mathematics instruction using active learning strategies. In addition to curriculum guidance, the BILT will augment CTE programs with mock interviews, guest lectures, and other personalized interactions. The ICC fabrication laboratory will make use of their digital fabrication equipment, design software, and studio space to add context to traditional mathematics instruction for students in CTE programs. The ICC Fab Lab is a member of the International Fab Lab network, originally initiated by MIT. The Fab Lab manager at ICC will work with ICC’s mathematics instructors to develop curricula that aligns with skills desired by regional industry, and the natural curiosity of students. Successful practices from this project will be disseminated throughout the state, and beyond through the International Fab Lab network. This project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced technology fields that drive the nation's economy.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.