- Year 2024
- NSF Award #2050256
- Registration Noyce Scholar/Teaching Fellow/Master Teacher
- Role Teaching Fellow
- First Name Breanna
- Last Name Stoesz
- Discipline Mathematics
- Institution University of Arkansas
Abstract
While developing an environment to foster student agency in STEM subjects can be difficult in many contexts, developing student agency in small rural schools presents unique challenges. These challenges include limited physical resources, students stretched thin from school, family, and work duties, and varying levels of community engagement and support in academics. As first-year secondary mathematics teachers, we experienced the difficult yet rewarding act of promoting student agency in small schools. While many larger or more affluent schools offer different STEM clubs or teams, our smaller schools did not. Therefore, we saw the need to bring authentic, engaging experiences directly into the traditional mathematics classrooms. We strived to create rich experiences that encouraged student voice, creativity, exploration, collaboration, presentation, and reflection. “Math Talent Show” and “STEAM Expo” were therefore created for students to have the opportunity to exhibit agency by engaging in more in-depth projects of their choosing and design. These projects and other hands-on activities throughout the school year increased understanding of topics explored and unexplored previously in class, giving a pathway for students to discover their own agency in mathematics. Along with developing a deeper understanding, we saw students more invested in their learning and enjoying the process of experiencing mathematics for themselves.
Focus
Developing self-identity
