Math Modeling Hub

Abstract. The Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis (QUBES) project acts as an online center supporting a diverse community of faculty and projects interested in improving students’ quantitative reasoning in biological contexts. We provide an online platform for scientific collaboration and computation that is being used by over 70 partner projects representing the life sciences, mathematics, earth science, statistics, computer science, and education research communities. To help our partners share their products and resources we have implemented a system for providing professional development to distributed, heterogeneous groups of teachers called Faculty Mentoring Networks (FMNs). Working across disciplinary boundaries to support communication, planning, delivery, and evaluation of FMNs has required explicit discussions of the differences among academic traditions, particularly as they influence uptake by other disciplines and use in teaching settings. This presentation will focus on several case studies of interdisciplinary collaboration facilitated by the QUBES project and highlight a set of practical lessons learned that inform our ongoing efforts to promote faculty engagement with diverse teaching and learning communities.

Abstract. We discuss the results of a one year pilot program funded by the NSF to develop a model for teacher leadership develop in Education for Sustainability which aims to support implementation of the School District of Philadelphia’s Green Futures sustainability initiatives. A cohort of 14 high school teachers drawn from STEAM fields participated in a 60 hour professional learning community in which they learned about the Education for Sustainability standards and developed lessons that incorporated these standards and linked with the National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools Pathways program. These lessons were place based, making use of the rich array of sustainability resources in the Philadelphia region, and included hands on projects in which students could green their schools and communities. The teachers explored ways to build connections in their lessons that between STEM and non-STEM fields.

Abstract. Faculty mentoring networks are online groups, usually including 10-15 faculty members focused on a specific topic, that typically meet every two weeks over a period of several months. They allow colleagues across the country to discover new teaching materials and pedagogical techniques and incorporate them into their courses. The Mathematical Modeling Faculty Mentoring Network (MMFMN) brings together faculty to learn about, discuss, and implement math modeling instructional approaches and materials. In its inaugural online meetings during the fall of 2017, fellow master math modeling teachers shared, developed, and refined modeling activities as well as teaching strategies. In the spring, these teachers committed to helping at least one other colleague to incorporate math modeling into their curriculum. In this session, I will share some of the benefits I gained from collaborating with these master teachers in the fall and some of the observations and challenges I faced in bringing these materials back to my school colleagues less familiar with mathematical modeling in the spring.

Abstract. The Math Modeling Hub (MMHub) serves as a repository of information related to mathematical modeling education. Resources supported by the MMHub include materials for classroom use, professional development for people who are new to math modeling, and “sandbox" areas where educators can collaboratively develop, edit, and test instructional materials. The MMHub also promotes and sustains a community of practice by hosting forums and online subgroups (such as mentoring networks) and facilitating communication among members about events outside the hub. The MMHub allows for extensive and varied levels of discussion and collaboration, and helps connect people beyond the barriers of geographical distance. This summer marks the initial public rollout of the MMHub; everyone with an interest in math modeling education, from experts to novices, is welcome to join the community. This presentation will introduce the audience to the purpose, features, early activity, and future plans for the new Math Modeling Hub.