This project involves an interdisciplinary development of technical mathematics instructional modules, emphasizing the problem-solving approach, the scientific method and realistic, real-world problems. Representatives from business and industry, in particular, those of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, are providing technical and industrial perspectives on scientific and engineering applications. The graphing calculator linked with a new portable sensor and probe setup, called the Calculator Based Laboratory (CBL) system, are the technological instructional tools chosen for classroom and laboratory use. Over a two year span a total of 10 curriculum teams, comprised of Middlesex County College mathematics and science/engineering faculty, working cooperatively with teachers from local high schools, are producing 30 instructional modules, to be used at the secondary school level as well as in technical college curricula. A series of training conferences and workshops are being held to assist participants in mastery of these technological tools, as well as the most effective problem-solving and cooperative-learning strategies. The instructional modules are being disseminated through the MCC network of local high schools, a consortium of regional community colleges, the NJ Statewide Systemic Initiative for Improvement of Math and Science, and professional mathematics associations.
