Una Undergraduates Use Rocket Launch To Research Teaching Methods

Sep. 28, 2012

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@1e1v.com, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - This Sunday, two teams of UNA undergraduate researchers, with their professors, will execute a six-month-long project testing non-traditional methods of teaching projectile motion, including a rocket launch and computer-simulated rocket launch. 该团队的目标是调查物理模型的使用是否有助于理解抛射运动的概念. Prior to the launch and simulation, the groups will design a lesson plan to present to high school and college students. To measure their understanding of the concept, they will conduct a pre-test and post-test and compare the results. 然后，他们将使用统计分析来确定两种教学方法中的任何一种是否比传统的讲座更有效. "The groups are attempting to answer a similar question, just on slightly different tracks," said Dr. Cynthia Stenger, interim chair of the UNA Department of Mathematics. "The group planning the rocket launch will teach algebra students at the high school level, while the group doing the simulation is geared toward calculus at the college level.今年4月，斯滕格和计算机科学教授詹姆斯·杰金斯以及数学教授杰西卡·斯托瓦尔提出了这个研究想法. Jerkins, Stenger and Stovall each recruited two students to participate in the experiment, dividing them into two groups. Each group includes a computer science student, a mathematics student and a mathematics education student. "We identified students who showed some interest and aptitude for their particular subject, and just asked them to be involved," Jerkins said. "We're interested in working with anyone who is interested in doing undergraduate research." The rocket launch will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at Diebert Park on Cox Creek Parkway in Florence. The event is open to the public. 研究小组将在第二届肯尼索山本科数学年会上展示他们的研究成果, a conference supported by the Mathematical Association of America, in October. 学生参与者包括:软件模拟飞行作为教学抛射运动的工具本·摩尔, of Loretto, Tenn. Baillie Haddock, of Waterloo Patrick Lindsay, of Guntersville Model rocket flight as a tool for teaching projectile motion Ryan Paine, of Florence Elly Couch, of Florence Atticus Wright, or Loretto, Tenn.