PMENA-39 2017

45. UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION OF SLOPE BY MIDDLE GRADE STUDENTS DURING A STEM LESSON

• In Event: POSTER SESSION 2 & HAPPY HOUR
  In Poster Session: STATISTICS & PROBABILITY: POSTER SESSION 2

Description

This study documents the ways in which eighth grade students apply and develop their knowledge of the concept of slope during a STEM lesson. Students compared the densities of two minerals by measuring several different sized samples and examining the different slopes for the mass vs. volume plots of each mineral. Pre and post interviews along with transcripts of student conversations during group work sessions revealed ways in which the students understanding of slope evolved through the problem solving session. The application helped to increase student understanding but also revealed that student knowledge of the concept is very context dependent.

Authors

• Aran W Glancy, Purdue University

• Tamara J Moore, Purdue University

• Foster Graif, University of Minnesota

• Dexter W Lim, University of Minnesota

• Nathan W Earley, University of Minnesota