To bridge a perceived gap between students entering math, science and engineering fields in the U.S. and those pursuing them in other industrialized countries, ASU has used outreach programs to spark student interest in the subjects.
A study released Oct. 12 by the National Academies, a consortium that includes the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council, shows that 600,000 engineers graduated from Chinese universities and 350,000 graduated from institutes of higher education in India in 2004. Only 70,000 students completed such degrees in the U.S. the same year.
The Center for Research on Education in Science, Math, Engineering and Technology implemented the Math & Science Partnership, a junior high and high school outreach program, with a $12.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation in September 2004, said Marilyn Carlson, director of the center.
"The primary focus is increasing teacher knowledge so they can better integrate math and science," she said.
Teachers at 24 junior high and high schools in Phoenix, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa and Tolleson, Ariz., meet once a week with ASU faculty to develop interactive math- and science-related activities.
Some of these projects have included creating models for the population growth of East Valley cities, calculating the maximum capacity of a box and walking around classrooms to study rate of change.
Such projects allow students to use both math and science concepts in real-world situations, Carlson said.
"It translates to meaningful learning," Carlson said.
As students comprehend mathematic and scientific concepts, they become more confident in their ability to pass advanced courses like calculus and physics, said Suzie DePrez, director of science, social sciences and world languages for Mesa Public Schools.
DePrez said she had no concrete data on increased student enrollment in such classes motivated by the partnership because the Mesa School District started the program in January 2005.
"We're hoping we'll see more students taking more math and science courses at higher levels and being more successful," DePrez said.
Continually taking these classes through high school could help prepare students to eventually tackle more rigorous courses at the university level, Carlson said.
Any extended gap in students' math and science education reduces the possibility they will continue it in college.
"There's no chance for [students] to re-enter the math pipeline and end up pursuing a degree in engineering or mathematics," Carlson said.
ASU has also participated in the Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement program since 1984.
In MESA, students take part in a local competition to win ASU scholarships and the chance to compete at higher levels.
Mechanical engineering freshman Michael Delgado won a scholarship to attend ASU in last year's statewide competition for building a mousetrap car.
Delgado, whose father is an engineer, was further inspired to pursue a degree by constructing a balsa glider, a medieval-style catapult and other projects that exposed him to different types of engineering.
"If I wasn't in MESA, I don't think I'd be in the engineering field right now," Delgado said.
Reach the reporter at grayon.steinberg@asu.edu.
