What is it?

Math does not have one clear definition. In fact, Farrell and Farmer (1980) argue that mathematics is a verb, as well as a noun. Sarama, et.al (2018) consider mathematics as a noun as they note:

“Mathematics is the study of quantity, structure, shape, and change. It provides a foundation for many aspects of daily life, including for much of science, technology, and engineering. The mathematical sciences include more than numbers and arithmetic—they also deal with such topics as geometrical figures and structures, measurement, and logical argumentation. Mathematicians and children doing math use the practices of mathematics to identify crosscutting patterns and structures and to understand and explain phenomena.”

– p.1, CADRE report, by Sarama et al., 2018

Recent efforts in mathematics education, including the introduction of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, focus on mathematics as a verb as they call for students to be involved in “doing mathematics” in the classroom.  This raises the question:  What does it mean to “do mathematics”?  Doing mathematics involves giving students opportunities to make sense of mathematics through exploration.  It involves engaging students in solving rich problems and asking them to justify and defend their reasoning.  For more on how to support students in doing mathematics, see https://www.oerafrica.org/system/files/8230/unit-1-pdf_0.pdf.

We believe that students can be given the opportunity to engage in high-level, quality math lessons when they are integrated with other subject areas, including those of the STEM field.  The example projects below were a part of our STEM Collaboration project, but their development began with a math standard and used a supporting science standard, instead of the reverse. The first project, Shape Hunt and Plant Parts, is for first grade and focuses on shapes, with a science emphasis on plant parts. The second project is from fourth grade, with a math emphasis on angles, while the science standards drew from technology and engineering.