A Level Biology
This collection of resources are mathematics resources which could be used in both mathematics lessons and biology lessons to support students with the mathematical elements of the biology specification
Standard Form
This excel file deals with the four operations on positive and negative numbers giving practice at a variety of calculations. The first four interactive sheet give sets of numbers to change into and from standard form. The powers of 10 may be positive or negative. The next interactive sheets deal with finding the sum, product, difference or quotient of numbers expressed in standard form without using a calculator. Initially pairs of numbers are combined with answers available at each step to aid understanding. Then sets of questions on each type of calculation are provided for further practice. There are a further seven sheets of questions which may be suitable for duplication for classroom use.
Indices and Standard Form
Indices and standard form covers: index notation, the laws of indices, negative indices, standard form and fractional indices.
The initial file forms part of the textbook. The activities sheet, extra exercises and mental tests compliment the work covered in the textbook. The overhead slides can be used on an interactive whiteboard.
Estimating Length Using Standard Form N4
In this resource students learn to interpret decimals using metric units, estimate lengths of real life objects and interpret standard form.They will also discuss and understand these processes. Some students will have encountered decimals and standard form before.
Rounding: Snails Vs Rockets
This video explains how we are able to measure extremes of speed, from incredibly fast to extremely slow. The degree of accuracy required when taking these measures needs to be decided. This is achieved by rounding. Examples of unhelpful rounding are given and the need for the notion of significant figures is introduced.
The video is accompanied by a lesson plan and a worksheet covering rounding to powers of ten, to decimal places, to significant figures and to estimate answers.
Counting Crowds
This video begins by asking how it was estimated that 1.8 million people attended the swearing in ceremony of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. Statisticians use a variety of methods to help estimate large crowds, taking into account known values and using technology such as satellite images, the area could be split into regions, the area of each region approximated and each region given a density rating. From this information an approximation for the number of people in each region is calculated.
The video is accompanied by a lesson plan and a worksheet covering further estimation work.
Teaching Activities and Materials
Teaching resources from the Improving learning in mathematics collection
STEM Knowledge Networks
This booklet provides twelve case studies from STEM Knowledge Networks.
The range of networks were wide, ranging from a specific study of how mechanics is taught in mathematics and physics to a network of primary schools working together to look at using practical resources and ICT to support the teaching of mathematics. Key to all the networks was the focused time the teachers spent planning together and how the answers to so many questions about engagement and inspiration were found within in a school itself.
Collaboration between teachers provides the opportunity to develop teaching and learning both within a curriculum area and across curriculum areas, really bringing learning alive for students and reinforcing understanding. By taking this collaborative approach teachers can often find that it allows them to share good practice and be more creative.
Promoting the Active and Effective Use of Statistical Techniques within the Sciences
The STEM Knowledge Network based at King Edward’s Stourbridge has developed a range of materials to further the active use of statistics within the sciences.
These have been trialled in some subject areas and are being further developed and trialled during the 2010-11 academic year, at AS, A2 and GCSE level. A major focus of the project has been in the use of MINITAB to enable effective interpretation of large and complex data sets.
Mathematics and Science Departments Working Collaboratively
Cross-curricular work can be incredibly powerful, both in terms of student outcomes and staff Continuing Professional Development. However, it is easy to contemplate, but far more difficult to deliver. Effective planning is the key. At King James’s School, near Huddersfield, members of the mathematics and science departments worked collaboratively to prepare a ‘rockets’ project which was delivered jointly on one of the school’s cross-curricular days, and followed up in subsequent mathematics lessons to provide a high quality and enjoyable learning experience for staff and students alike.
The language of mathematics in science
This guidance is focused on developing greater clarity and coherence when working with mathematical ideas, language and procedures in science and mathematics lessons, to help children transfer their mathematical skills and understanding effectively to their science learning. We note that while there are important mathematical techniques and procedures to be learned, the way that mathematics is used in science is a matter of judgement influenced by context and circumstances, and not of applying hard-and-fast rules.
Merlin
Merlin is an Excel add-in developed to enable students to draw statistical diagrams and to perform a number of statistical tests. The add-in was written to support the statistical elements of the biology advanced level curriculum but will also have applications in mathematics and other subjects where statistics are represented, analysed and interpreted.
Embedding Statistics at A level: a report on statistical requirements and assessment across A level courses in Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Psychology and Sociology
This collaborative project by the Royal Statistical Society and the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education presents findings from an analysis of statistics in five recently reformed A levels in England. The aim of the report was to investigate whether the recent reforms will result in improvements in the assessment of statistics models.
A World Full of Data: Statistics Opportunities across A-level Subjects
This report considers the teaching and learning of statistics across a number of A-level subjects other than mathematics. The role of statistics is considered in biology, business studies, chemistry, computing, economics, geography, history, physics, psychology and sociology. The report contains twenty two recommendations for consideration by policy makers, curriculum developers, school and college managers, examination regulators and awarding bodies, those responsible for school mathematics, providers of teacher training and professional development, teachers, providers of teaching materials and the statistics community.