There is an enormous need for qualified people to pursue careers in STEM (Noonan, 2017). However, the lack of a strong foundation in mathematics means students are less likelyto pursue STEM majors and careers (Chen, 2013; Griffith, 2010; Huang, Taddese, & Walter, E,2000; Kokkelenberg & Sinha, 2010; Lowell et. al., 2009; Seo, Shen & Alfaro, 2019). Studentsfrom low-income families, women, and underrepresented minorities are also less likely to majorin STEM (Bettinger, 2010; Griffith, 2010; Hill, Corbett & Rose, 2010; Kokkelenberg & Sinha,2010). Improving math learning in the elementary grades is important to ensure children havethe essential foundational skills and strong self-efficacy beliefs to be able to succeed with latermathematics and pursue careers in STEM. With this Fast-Track grant, we propose to build amathematical problem-solving environment, Teachley Problem Solving (TPS), to transform theway elementary students learn to solve math problems. TPS will include a set of digital tools tohelp students understand and classify the underlying structure of problems, use clear visuals tomodel the mathematics of the problems, and construct strong mathematical arguments. Theenvironment will also integrate into ASSISTments, a math curriculum platform built by TheASSISTments Foundation and Wooster Polytechnic Institute . Outcomes. The proposal will encourage two main outcomes, namely: 1) improvedstudent math achievement and 2) increased math self-efficacy. A key research aim is todetermine whether supporting elementary students with digital problem-solving tools helps themdevelop stronger problem-solving skills as compared to typical instruction. We also anticipatethat using the engaging tools with real-time feedback will also bolster students' motivation andself-efficacy in mathematics. Improving students' academic outcomes and math self-efficacy during elementary schoolwill promote later success in high school mathematics. Since the number of advanced mathclasses students take is correlated with likelihood to complete a STEM degree, (Chen, 2013) adistal outcome of this proposal is increasing the number of students pursuing careers in STEM.
Public Health Relevance Statement: Project Narrative There is an enormous need for students majoring in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), yet lacking a strong foundation in mathematics makes students, especially women, minorities and those from low-income backgrounds, less likely to pursue careers in STEM. Teachley Problem Solving will bolster students' mathematics abilities, including mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and self-efficacy in the short and long term. This will, in turn, lead to several positive distal outcomes, such as increased STEM majors and careers.
Project Terms: <0-11 years old>
