Conference synopsis 20240805 - Flipbook - Page 83
E25 STEM ACTIVITIES IN ASTRONOMY
Subtheme: Technology
Stephen Broderick, St Ursula’s College
(Year 9 to Year 12)
In this session, several STEM activities in astronomy will be
presented. These activities use functions to model real world
phenomena and include linear, quadratic, trigonometric and
exponential. A TI-Nspire notes page will be used to enter and
edit various functions. Some of the STEM activities include
determining the length of daylight using a shadow stick at
midday from any given latitude on Earth and approximating
the distance to a galaxy using Cepheid variable stars.
Students tend to develop a deeper understanding of
mathematical concepts when they are rooted in real world
modelling applications. Hopefully, these activities can
empower students and foster a lifelong love of mathematical
applications, hence promoting success and interest in related
fields such as astronomy.
Key takeaways:
increase their motivation and engagement, and fulfil their full
learning potential within the classroom. Emeritus Professor
Peter Sullivan’s research and workshop, which aimed at
enhancing numeracy engagement by linking learning
activities and assessments to real life, and in particular,
students’ daily life, and improving maths teaching efficiency
by covering multiple strands within one unit. The approach is
suitable for secondary and pre-VCE Vocational Major (VM)
pathway students and has been applied and proven effective
in secondary mainstream and especially in alternative settings.
We will share our resources and demonstrate how to apply the
approach at your school.
Key takeaways:
1. Introduction to an innovative teaching approach.
2. Discussions and resources of the approach and examples.
3. Opportunities to create programs for your school.
Remember: Hard copies and digital copies of handouts
will both be provided. Please bring a pen and/or a charged
device.
1. Technology can reveal hidden relationships within
astronomical data sets.
2. Mathematical functions are useful for modelling
astronomical phenomena.
E27 CULTIVATING FINANCIAL LITERACY IN
MATHS WITH INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY
3. Astronomy is an area of study that may be of interest to
teachers and students.
Subtheme: Technology
Remember: TI calculator or Casio calculator may be useful in
this session; although not a necessary requirement.
E26 ENHANCING MIDDLE YEARS
NUMERACY: A STRENGTH-BASED
PEDAGOGY
Subtheme: Pedagogy
Milton Bai, Kensington Community High School, Gloria
Yi, St Albans Secondary College
(Year 7 to Year 10)
This session introduces an innovative pedagogy: the
strength-based approach to enhancing numeracy in middle
years. The approach was inspired by: Berry Street Education
Model and strategies grounded in trauma-informed,
strength-based education and positive psychology, which
aimed at supporting all students, particularly the most
vulnerable, and helping students to build their resilience,
Jason Jin
(Year 9 to Year 12)
This session dives into the practical integration of technology
in the mathematics curriculum, emphasising the development
of unit plans that incorporate digital tools for teaching
financial maths. With the example of the Year 9 and Year 11
VCE General Mathematics curriculum, we will showcase
a range of age-appropriate technologies, apps, and digital
platforms.
These tools are selected for their proven effectiveness in
engaging students with financial maths concepts and helping
them apply these skills in real-world situations. We’ll provide
a detailed walkthrough of how these technologies can be
embedded within unit plans, offering teachers hands-on
strategies for crafting lessons that are not only educational
but also highly engaging and relevant to students’ lives.
By the end of this presentation, educators will have a clear
understanding of how to build and implement technologyenhanced unit plans that make financial mathematics
accessible and interesting to students across different year
THE MATHEMATICAL
ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA
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