Serina Diniega, co-sponsored by the University of Arizona Applied Mathematics Program

I believe that many students lose their interest in mathematical and scientific studies primarily because they do not learn the main lessons of these subjects -- different ways to approach and solve problems. Once these lessons are learned, mathematics and science classes and studies are no longer "useless", obtuse, and/or boring, but instead are potentially inspirational opportunities for a student to practice important skills in observation and problem solving.

In this project, these lessons are taught to middle school students through the study of planetary surfaces; this is an area of study where detailed knowledge of complex processes is not necessary. On a daily basis, everyone deals with local topography and changes in that planetary surface, on many different scales. Thus, a basic understanding of how planetary surfaces form and are altered can be almost "intuitional", requiring only the ability to ask the right questions and to logically apply observations and knowledge.

I am developing curriculum materials that can be used with students in the 6th-8th grade. These lessons fulfil some of the state and national education requirements in math and science, and involve a mix of hands-on activities, lectures, and multimedia tools. In the Fall term, I am teaching classes through the afterschool program at Hohokam Middle School. In the Spring term, the curriculum materials and my classes will be refined and made available to other students and groups.

To date, this project has received assistance from staff members from Hohokam Middle School and Tucson's Information and Referral Services.