A Bird Beak Data Buffet

Abstract

This article reports on an interdisciplinary lesson completed with our elementary preservice teachers, demonstrating how to integrate mathematical concepts easily and effectively into 5E and 3D science lessons. We took a common activity used to teach adaptations, the bird beak lab, and modified it to integrate mathematical concepts like bar graphs and data analysis. While this interdisciplinary lesson targets third-grade science and mathematics standards, it also shows how mathematical concepts can be meaningfully integrated into any common science investigation so students can develop conceptual understandings, solve problems, and make sense of their world as science and mathematics thinkers. In addition to sharing the interdisciplinary lesson, we report on how our preservice teachers benefited from this lesson by prompting them to plan integrated science lessons across disciplines. The preservice teachers also shared how the authentic learning experience allows students to use their data to make data analysis more meaningful rather than examining teacher-provided data in isolated mathematics settings. Recommendations are shared for how teachers can develop similar interdisciplinary lessons that encourage students to make sense of observations using data collected during scientific investigations.

Keywords:

• 3–5
• Common Core-Math
• NGSS
• structure and function
• math
• using mathematics and computational thinking
• biological evolution/unity and diversity

SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES

Download worksheet and rubric at https://doi.org/10.1080/00368148.2024.2340791.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alesia Mickle Moldavan

Alesia Mickle Moldavan ([email protected]) is Assistant Professor of Elementary Mathematics and Science Education at Georgia Southern University–Armstrong Campus in Savannah, Georgia. Bailey Nafziger is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Science Education, and Katie Brkich is a Professor of Elementary Science Education, both at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia.