Discovery Park

The Discovery Learning Research Center has selected the research team of Rachael Kenney and Melanie Shoffner for its 2010 Faculty Research Fellow Program.
   
Kenney and Shoffner's project, titled "Writing to Learn Mathematics: Teacher Reflection on the Use of Writing as a Tool to Support Student Learning in the Mathematics Classroom," addresses one of the Discovery Park center's signature themes to promote articulation between education research and actual practice, said DLRC managing director Willie Burgess.
   
The project will focus on providing preservice secondary teachers with experience on the writing to learn writing-to-learn- mathematics approach, then engaging them in developing their own WTLM-based lesson plans and course materials for their own student teaching. A team-taught WTLM lesson then will be implemented with middle school students at the Hall for Discovery and Learning Research in Discovery Park.
   
Kenney is assistant professor  of mathematics and curriculum and instruction, and Shoffner is assistant professor of English and curriculum and instruction.
   
The Faculty Research Fellow Program is designed to support Purdue tenure-track faculty members to plan for and carry out research on a topic that will further the mission and goals of the Discovery Learning Research Center.
   
Special emphasis this year was placed on supporting a team that represents a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)/non-STEM collaboration. The program provides partial salary and graduate student support, travel or supply funds, and access to the educational research facilities in the DLRC.
   
Applicants were asked to develop a research project that specifically promotes the mission and strategic themes of the center and will be carried out in collaboration with the center. Faculty fellows are then expected to apply for external funding of their project during the period of their fellowship.
   
Burgess said many worthy and interesting projects were submitted for the competition.

For more information about the program, contact Burgess at 494-0668 or wburgess@purdue.edu, or go online to www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/learningcenter/about/faculty.php.