WHAT'S NEW - AUGUST 2005

ENCOURAGING MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE LITERACY

Welcome to the web site for the Council on Alberta Teaching Standards (COATS). This area of the web site changes monthly. The theme for this month will be of interest to teachers, administrators, and parents who are exploring issues related to encouraging mathematics and science literacy in all classrooms. The section below identifies several web links related to the topic. We hope that you find this web site to be a valuable resource. For quick reference bookmark http://www.teachingquality.ab.ca today!

WEB SITES RELATED TO ENCOURAGING MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE LITERACY IN ALL CLASSROOMS

Alberta Science Literacy Association (ASLA)
Copyright © ASLA 2005
http://www.asla.ca/

Would students in the classroom like to meet a scientist? The Alberta Science and Literacy Association views itself as "connecting scientists to the community." The Association promotes interest in "science, technology and nature" "with programs for children, educators, and the general public." The ASLA maintains five networks across the province, each with a "science hotline" that offer students opportunities to interact with scientists. The ASLA also carries out other activities, which include providing some professional development opportunities in science for educators, and serving as a channel through which those with a background in science and technology can share their expertise with the wider community. Contact information for this charitable association is available on the web site.

Clarity: The Science of Teaching Science. 2005
Canadian Language & Literacy Research Network
http://clarity.cllrnet.ca/issue2/01.htm?table_id=1

Science literacy can begin at an early age, even before children go to school. In this report of a research project, the Canadian Language & Literacy Research Network joins science concepts with awareness of children's psychological development. Because science literacy is a matter of public concern and vital to the economy, it is important to understand how children learn about science both inside and outside the classroom. Researchers from the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta are involved in conducting research on this project, one of 46 projects currently sponsored by the Network.

Federal Government Announces Recipients of $5 Million Program to Foster Science Literacy and Numeracy
May 2005
Science and Engineering Research Canada (NSERC)
http://www.crsng.gc.ca/news/2005/p050519.htm

Fostering science literacy and numeracy are national goals in Canada. This recent NSERC news release, dated May, 2005, announces the inauguration of a pilot project to establish five university centres across Canada, with the objective of developing teaching resources to promote science literacy and numeracy. One purpose of the program is to encourage young people from a variety of backgrounds to consider career choices in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering. Another purpose is to provide support for teachers in these areas. The University of Alberta will serve both as a centre and as the national leader of this pilot initiative.

For Kids Only: Earth Science Enterprise. 2004
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/index.html

This web site sponsored by NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is prepared for a young audience. The site is colorful and engaging, and from the viewer's first glance offers factoids of information related to earth science. The site also offers remarkable images of the earth, many taken from outer space. In terms of its layout, the web site presents information under the headings of "people, land, air, water, and natural hazards." NASA's activities include the monitoring of the earth's surfaces, waters, and air as well as the monitoring of earthquakes, tornadoes and similar weather phenomena. The web site communicates the message that interest in earth science can open doors to career opportunities.

Fractals: A Fractals Unit for Elementary and Middle School Students
Copyright © 1996-2004 by Cynthia Lanius
Rice University
Houston, TX
http://math.rice.edu/~lanius/frac/

An exploration of colorful fractals could motivate a young person to consider a career as a mathematician. This interactive study unit provides a captivating introduction to the mathematical theme of fractals. Fractals are a newer kind of mathematics, a geometry which depends on the computational power of computers to generate complex geometric patterns. Fractals are illustrated by the example of a famous fractal, the Mandelbrot Set. This study unit is specifically designed for elementary and middle school students, but adults are also invited to indulge their curiosity. In addition, the unit provides links to related mathematical resources.

Galileo and Mount Royal College Working Together. 2004
Copyright © 2002-2005 Galileo Educational Network Association
Calgary, AB
http://www.galileo.org/math/

Learning mathematics can be a rich source of wonder, but that isn't always what students' experience. Students' frustration is a challenge for mathematics educators. The Galileo Educational Network and Mount Royal College have combined their efforts to make mathematics more interesting for young students. This web page reports on a recent mathematical initiative with the declared purpose of improving mathematical teaching. The initiative brings together the stimulation of puzzles for students and opportunities for professional development for teachers. Creating a supportive network of mathematicians and mathematics educators is also part of the program.

Manitoba Foundations for Scientific Literacy. 2004
Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth
http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/ks4/cur/science/sci30s/intro.pdf

This web document addresses the topic of scientific literacy for senior students currently in Manitoba schools. The introduction to this draft document concisely sets forth some underlying ideas from the Pan-Canadian Science Framework. Among the intended goals of scientific literacy is an effort to "encourage students at all grades to develop a critical sense of wonder and curiosity about scientific and technological endeavors." Scientific literacy also entails the ability "to recognize connections within science, mathematics and technology; understand important scientific concepts; [and] be familiar with the natural world . . . ." In addition, scientific literacy involves cultivation of a spirit of scientific inquiry and a willingness to let science inform decisions.

ms infinity. 2005
Canadian Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology
Vancouver, BC
http://www.harbour.sfu.ca/scwist/msinf.html#host

This web site from British Columbia acknowledges the particular challenges that young women face in learning math and science. Sponsored by the Canadian Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology, this web site announces conferences that were organized for young women in British Columbia and the Yukon in spring 2005. Studying math and science opens doors to innumerable career opportunities, some entirely unanticipated. These conferences are meant to upset stereotypes of women scientists and to provide opportunities for young women to encounter solid role models. In addition to contact information, the web site also offers useful advice for organizing such conferences for young women interested in studying math and science.

Mathematics Glossary - Middle Years. 2005
Stinka, M.
Saskatchewan Education Curriculum and Instruction
University of Regina
Regina, SK
http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/RR/glossary/middle/index.html

This web page, last updated in 2005, is part of Math Central, an Internet site based at the University of Regina and serving as a resource for mathematics teachers and for K-12 students. The definitions presented in this glossary are indexed alphabetically and are intended particularly for mathematics teachers of middle-level students. The definitions are also related to the Saskatchewan mathematics curriculum. Math Central is supported by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina. The Saskatchewan Math Teachers' Society is also associated with this site. Other site supporters include the SchoolNet initiative and the Canadian Mathematical Society.

Ontario Council for Technology Education
Copyright © Ontario Council for Technology Education, 2001-05
Ottawa, ON
http://www.octe.on.ca/

The Ontario Council for Technology Education (OCTE) sponsors this web site, which is notably enthusiastic in its support of technology education. The purpose of OCTE is to work "for a strong, consistent, accountable and sustainable technological education for all students in Ontario." Technology has a direct effect on society, and technological literacy is about understanding how the infrastructure of society works. Technological literacy is directly related to a skilled workforce and the economy. The web site's sidebar provides links to a variety of related resources and contact information. This web site will be of particular interest to technology educators across the K-12 range.

Science and Society
Alternatives Journal, Winter 2003, Vol 30, No 1
Balram, S.
Waterloo, ON
http://www.alternativesjournal.ca/issues/301/review_balram.asp

This book review prepared by Shivanand Balram comments on the book entitled Science Literacy for the 21st Century (2003), edited by S. P. Marshall, J. A. Scheppler and M. J. Palmisano (New York: Prometheus Books). The book is a collection of essays drawing on the work of Physics Nobel Laureate Dr. Leon Max Lederman and other scientists as well as educators. The book's major objective is to set forth the goal of a "scientifically literate society," taking into account the many obstacles that teachers and policy makers encounter within a predominantly American environment. The book's general perspective is one that favors adequate incentives and support for the learning of science.

Scientific and Technological Literacy. 2003
Yore, L.
University of Victoria
Victoria, BC
http://www.educ.uvic.ca/edci/Outlines/D-educ447.htm

What is our ideal of a scientifically and technologically literate Canadian? This course outline from the University of Victoria sets forward an orderly development of the notions of scientific and technological literacy in contemporary Canada. The perspective developed in this course outline directs particular attention to educators' concerns about curriculum and instruction. Effective communication of science is another prominent feature of this course outline. The web site contains resources for further study including links and a collection of topics associated with scientific and technological literacy. Dr. Larry Yore is Distinguished Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Victoria's Faculty of Education.