Mathematics faculty at Wentworth have been employing active learning strategies characteristic of the calculus reform movement at all levels of mathematics courses for students of engineering technology since 1989. This student population is motivated primarily by perceived relevance of subject matter to specific technical problems. They are developing, through joint efforts of mathematics and technical faculty, laboratory investigations using engineering laboratories and multi-media simulations which illustrate and teach mathematical concepts. This planning project begins at the intermediate algebra/trigonometry level and continues through differential equations, and includes the finite mathematics/statistics track for manufacturing students. 100 sections per year, containing 2500 students, will be affected. Through the Southeast Massachusetts TECH PREP Consortium, Wentworth is taking the lead in extending the secondary level "integrated curriculum" reforms of Tech Prep to the college level. Tech Prep consists of alliances of secondary and post secondary schools in a (2+2) format for technical education. The Wentworth project is serving as a national model for colleges of engineering technology in integrating the learning of mathematics with technical applications.
