James A. Rhodes State College
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Technical Mathematics for Tomorrow: Recommendations and Exemplary Programs
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NSF Funded Due - 0003065 Awarded to AMATYC |
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Mary Ann Hovis is the PI with Rob Kimball and John Peterson as the Co-PI's
Mary Ann Hovis is currently the Chair of the AMATYC Technical Mathematics/AAS Programs Committee. hovis.ma@rhodesstate.edu
Rob Kimball is past chair of the AMATYC Technical Mathematics/AAS Programs Committee and PI on several NSF grants. rkimball@waketech.edu
John Peterson is Southeast Vice President of AMATYC and an author of technical mathematics textbooks. john.peterson20@comcast.net
Members of the Advisory Committee for the Grant:
Catherine C. Aust, Head of the Department of Mathematics, Clayton College & State University, Morrow, GA
David Baker, Professor Emertius Rochester Institute of Technology, Former Chair of TAC of ABET
Elaine A. Johnson, Director, Bio-Link Advanced Technological Education For Biotechnology National Center, San Francisco, California
Arnold Packer, Senior Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies, the Johns Hopkins University
John Reed, President, The Learning Business
Albert Schwabenbauer, Aerospace Manufacturing Consultant
Ronald Talley, Department Head, Electronic Engineering Technology, Tri-County Technical College, Pendleton, SC, leader in the SC ATE Center
Two CRAFTY Workshops were held within the scope of the grant.
West Coast
October 5 - 8, 2000 at Los Angeles Pierce College
Contact: Bruce Yoshiwara
Byoshiwara@hotmail.com
East Coast
October 12 -15, 2000 at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Virginia
Contact: Gwen Turbeville
gturbeville@vcss.edu
Project Summary
Technical Mathematics for Tomorrow: Recommendations and Exemplary Programs
The preparation of a workforce of scientifically and technologically competent technicians rests in large part on a foundation of deep understanding of mathematical concepts and skills. Technical Mathematics is an essential component of science, technology, and engineering technology programs offered by associate-degree granting institutions. Yet there is a widening disparity between the mathematics used in industry and what is taught.
This project, proposed by the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC), seeks to analyze the role and nature of technical mathematics in advanced technology programs, recognize successful models, and develop a vision and recommendations for technical mathematics. In addition, issues of transferability for students in advanced technology programs are addressed.
The objectives of the proposed project are to:
identify issues and formulate recommendations concerning the nature and role of technical mathematics set in the larger context of science, technology, and engineering technology programs
select and recognize up to ten programs meeting exemplary criteria
promote and disseminate the recommendations and exemplary programs
collaborate with other professional organizations to facilitate changes in curriculum.
Through two regional disciplinary workshops (referred to as CRAFTY workshops), mathematics and technical program faculty, together with representatives of business and industry, will address content and curriculum issues related to technical mathematics. These issues include the integration of mathematics content with science and technology content, relevance to business and industry needs, pedagogy, and the use of technology. Reports from the CRAFTY workshops will enable the development of criteria for exemplary technical mathematics programs. An Advisory Committee will select up to ten exemplary programs from nominations submitted by colleges, which will be showcased at a national conference. The CRAFTY workshop reports will provide rich background material for participants in the national conference, and will be submitted to the Committee of the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics (CUPM) of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).
A focus of the national conference, with a wide range of participants including mathematics and technical program faculty, industry representatives, professional society representatives, and other national leaders, is substantive dialogue on technical mathematics issues and the development of a vision and recommendations. Following the national conference, the Steering Committee, with the assistance of the Advisory Committee, will produce a report describing the exemplary programs and presenting the recommendations from the conference. Dissemination includes all two-year colleges, four-year college technology programs, conference presentations, and a website.
Project leadership is centered in the Technical Mathematics/AAS Programs Committee of AMATYC. The American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges, representing mathematics faculty from more than 1100 two-year colleges, is the only professional organization devoted exclusively to the mathematics offered during the first two years of college.