Project SkyMath. Building the mathematical foundation for Earth observations

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), with a grant from the NSF, has developed a middle school mathematics module called SkyMath. This module demonstrates that acquiring and using current environmental and real-time weather data in middle school mathematics classrooms, in ways that embrace the dynamic and uncertain natures of these data, promotes the teaching and learning of the mathematics that serves as the foundation of data analysis. The unit is designed for mathematics teachers, who may have no science expertise, and it provides them with an introduction to meaningful. interdisciplinary studies that couple Earth system science with mathematics. The SkyMath Module, "Using the Science and Language of Patterns to Explore Temperature", written by the Education Development Center, Inc., focuses on the challenge of representing mathematically the phenomenon of change by developing mathematical concepts using temperature as the variable. The SkyMath curriculum uses real-time weather data, involves classrooms in hands-on mathematics, elicits higher-level thinking, engages students in purposeful projects, and calls for reflection and communication. The students, organized in groups, collect and analyze data, exchange data and messages electronically with distant peers, identify and solve problems emerging from classroom activities with many possible solutions, and present or publish information they develop.