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Faculty Mini-Grant 2: Bob Klein
Outreach to Area Schools using Legos
Request for Funding
Robert Klein, Assistant Professor, Dept of Mathematics
Ohio University, 740.597.2712, bob@math.ohiou.edu
Executive Summary
This project proposes to purchase construction sets made by LegoEducation, including curriculum and block sets such as the just-released NXT Robotics system and engineering curriculum. These sets will be used for outreach to local schools and, in particular, grades 4 to 12. The principal investigator will work with undergraduate pre-service mathematics educators affiliated with the Ohio University Council of Teachers of Mathematics (OUCTM), an official affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, to develop and deliver enrichment activities in area schools. Plans currently include the development of brief, one-hour classroom visits, as well as multi-day after school workshops. These materials also will facilitate the possible development of a workshop for area teachers to learn more about the uses of these hands-on activities.
To assess the effectiveness of the outreach experiences, three surveys will be developed.: one for the classroom teachers, one for the students, and one for the presenter. Results from the surveys will be aggregated and analyzed for patterns and overall effectiveness.
Purpose and Rationale
Outreach to Area Schools
This project will target schools in Southeastern Ohio. Outreach is an important part of the missions of OU, OUCTM, and SEOCEMS. This project is unique in that it fosters synergism between area schools, OUCTM students, SEOCEMS, and the PI. Area schools benefit from the enrichment opportunities at the same time OUCTM students benefit from the participation in the field and by exposure to guided inquiry methods.
Promoting Hands-On Learning Strategies
Lego Mindstorms sets were originally created by Seymour Papert, a professor at the MIT Media Lab, to engage students in active learning according to constructivist models of learning. The activities to be developed in the schools emphasize the importance of trial and error, communication, team work, and problem solving. The NXT Robotics set is accompanied by a curriculum emphasizing engineering applications. This curriculum was developed by Carnegie Mellon University, a recognized leader in engineering.
Making Mathematical Connections
The Lego sets help students to make mathematical connections not commonly part of student textbooks. For instance, the multi-grade topic of ratios and proportional reasoning can be developed through the exploration of different combinations of gears. Problem solving involving several steps and algorithmic thinking are developed through programming strategies in the robots as well as through thinking about structural relationships involved in constructing objects using Legos.
Pre-service Teacher (PST) Engagement
Members of OUCTM will co-develop outreach experiences through hour-long or multi-day enrichment activities. The three sets being requested will allow the possible outreach to classrooms from grades 4 to 12, allowing participation of early-, middle- and high-school pre-service teachers in the organization. PSTs will gain experience in the field and experience working with hands-on materials. Moreover, OUCTM gains important service opportunities as an undergraduate student group. OUCTM has been a motivated and effective group for outreach in area schools as evidenced by their successful tutoring program for grades 6-12 students.
In-service Teacher Enrichment
It is hoped that experience doing outreach in area schools will create a base of interest in Legos and similar materials. The PI would, after the conclusion of the grant period, consider developing a workshop for area teachers to be held at Ohio University. It is also anticipated that teachers who express interest in having an enrichment presentation in their schools will learn from the presentations.
Investigative Process and Assessment Plan
The primary goals of the enrichment experiences using the Legos are:
- For students:
- Gaining mathematical content knowledge
- Seeing new areas of mathematical applications
- Viewing mathematics as meaningful and enjoyable
- Appreciating the role of collaboration in mathematical practice
- For teachers and presenters:
- Viewing the enrichment activity as
- Valuable
- Effective
- Extensible
- Cross-disciplinary (encompassing all of the STEM fields)
- Learning something about using hands-on activities in the mathematics classroom
To assess the degree to which these goals are being met, surveys will be developed and tailored to each of the groups mentioned above. This may include a pre- and post- component for students to measure the degree to which they may have gained content knowledge. In the event that difficulties are encountered collecting this information from students, the teacher survey will include items to gauge the degree to which teachers believe students have gained in their mathematical knowledge as a result of the enrichment.
Survey data will be aggregated and analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the enrichments. This will occur on an ongoing basis so that the enrichments can be modified as needed to increase effectiveness. At the conclusion of the 18-month grant period, a summary of the data will be generated.
Description of Activities and Timeline
This project has three phases.
PHASE |
MONTHS |
ACTIVITY |
Phase I
Development |
0 to 5 |
- Acquire materials
- Begin OUCTM member training with materials
- Develop flyers to send to schools advertising the programs
- Develop surveys |
Phase II
Outreach |
5 to 15 |
- Enrichment activities begin
- Data collection begins
- Ongoing improvement of activities based on data |
Phase III
Evaluation |
15 to 18 |
- Data analysis
- Final consideration of workshop development for teachers
- Final report on the project |
Dissemination
The results of the project will be disseminated in two venues. First, as per the requirements of the RFP, results will be posted on the SEOCEMS website. Second, the PI will work with participating members of OUCTM to develop a presentation to be given at the annual meeting of the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics (OCTM).
Project Budget funded
Total: $5,000
