WISEngineering: Integrating Common Core Math Concepts in an Informal Setting

Abstract

WISEngineering is a free, online learning environment that guides students through engineering design projects geared toward improving student learning in middle and high school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subject areas. WISEngineering combines an informed engineering design pedagogy with the Knowledge Integration learning framework. WISEngineering is an extension of the Web-based Inquiry Science Environment (WISE) at the University of California-Berkeley. Instructional modules within WISEngineering scaffold engineering design while guiding students through hands-on design projects. These projects focus on an engineering design pedagogy that provides students an opportunity to engage with CAD and digital fabrication technologies in the classroom to create, build, and refine their designs. WISEngineering’s projects immerse students in engineering habits of mind such as systems thinking, creativity, optimism, and collaboration, in conjunction with standards-based mathematics and science concepts. The Community Center Challenge (CC) project, formerly referred to as the Community Building Challenge (CBC), is a two-week long WISEngineering instructional module that asks students to design and construct a model for a new community center while facilitating instruction of Common Core Math Concepts (i.e. expressions and equations; ratios and proportions). The CC was piloted during the 2011-2012 school year in low-socioeconomic status, high-needs 7 grade classrooms in a school district in the midst of state takeover located on the east coast. The results from our pilot study revealed that students learned and applied their understanding of these Common Core Math Concepts to create and prototype solutions to address the design challenge. Analysis of embedded assessments revealed that students used supports within WISEngineering to make connections between mathematical and engineering ideas. As a follow up to the initial pilot study, an investigation was launched to determine whether a different population in a more informal educational setting would differ in the use of the supports provided within WISEngineering. This paper outlines the implementation of the CC in an informal summer educational seminar setting which involved 7 and 8 grade gifted participants (N=36) in June-July 2012. Statistical analysis of pretest and posttest measures along with embedded assessments, examined through the knowledge-integration framework are included.