TCU’s Andrews Institute and FWISD hosts second-annual Math and Science Trail

Fort Worth, TX

4/9/2008

TCU hosted 240 fourth grade students on campus (120 each day) for the second annual TCU and Fort Worth ISD Math and Science. Sponsored by TCU's Andrews Institute of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education and Chesapeake Energy, the Trail engaged students in exploratory learning at a series of ten stations around campus.

“We were able to expand the program this year from one to two days due to the generosity of Chesapeake Energy,” said Molly Weinburgh, education professor and director of the Andrews Institute of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education at TCU. “This support greatly impacted more students and we were excited to be doing the event again.”

“This was a win-win for us all,” Weinburgh continued. “TCU education students had the opportunity to interact with students they could be teaching and learn first-hand more about their chosen career. FWISD teachers had in-service training on campus and they were given a CD-ROM of all the math science trail materials so they can do the activities on their own campus. Children from FWISD were able to visit a college, and they had fun and interesting math and science activities and interacted in a real world environment.”

Developed, organized and conducted by TCU education students and faculty, the Math and Science Trail was aligned with the state's Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) test. Stations integrated geometric patterns, symmetry, plant systems, properties of water, life cycles and other math and science applications discovered on the Trail.

“The Fort Worth ISD was searching for real life applications of math and science concepts for students,” said Janie Christie, TCU alumnus and director of public engagement for FWISD. “We were also interested in finding instructional models that teachers could use on their own campuses...sort of a field trip on their own school yard.”

“The TCU College of Education developed the model, created math and science exercises that could be performed on any campus, held a workshop for FWISD teachers and hosted teams of students from 20 elementary schools who worked the problems at stations throughout the campus,” continued Christie. “Students could be seen measuring the perimeter of the memorial garden, identifying shapes found on the façade of the Robert Carr Chapel and estimating the height of the Clark brothers' statues.”

Teachers and TCU undergraduates majoring in math and science also benefited from the program. Teachers accompanying the students on the Trail discussed math and science trails and how to implement them on their own campuses. TCU math and science majors practiced leadership and coaching skills on the Trail by making interactive presentations to the children. In addition, pre-service teachers became familiar with the TEKS by developing curriculum and had the opportunity to apply teaching skills on the Trail. TCU student organizations participated this year by leading lunchtime activities including science experiments and math games.