Making School Maths Engaging

Dr Anne Prescott was an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education until she retired in April 2020. She lectured in Primary and Secondary Mathematics Teacher Education in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Technology Sydney. Anne’s research interests include problem solving with primary and lower secondary students, maths anxiety, and early career teachers. In 2014 she was awarded the UTS Human Rights Award for Social Inclusion for her work in making it possible for Nepali girls to continue their education in secondary school. Dr Mary Coupland is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Mathematics and Science Study Support Centre at the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney. She has received individual and team awards for excellence in teaching, and researches mathematics education at secondary and university level. For her work with teacher professional associations, she was awarded an Outstanding Professional Service Award by the Professional Teachers Council, NSW.Dr Marco Angelini is a Research Manager and Tutor at the University of Technology Sydney, and was the project manager for Maths Inside. With a background in academic skills development, educational equity and the transition to higher education, he has taught humanities and science subjects at the London School of Economics, Queen’s University of Belfast and the University of Technology Sydney. His research and publications include work on student engagement, academic literacies, philosophical thought and history.Dr Sandy Schuck was a Professor of Education in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) at the University of Technology Sydney until her retirement in May 2020. She was co-director of the STEM Education Futures Research Centre and was its founding co-director. She is currently an Adjunct Professor with research interests in teacher learning, mobile learning and mathematics education. In 2010, she received the inaugural UTS Research Excellence Award for Researcher Development.

“This book provides a great resource for the mathematics researcher and/or teacher who wants to learn more about an exciting STEM-based project conducted in Australia to make mathematics more engaging and authentic to their secondary students.” (Ann Wheeler, MAA Reviews, May 9, 2021)

• 1 Introduction.- Section 1 Background and context.- 2 Is there a crisis in Mathematics Education?.- 3 The case for mathematical literacy.- 4 Introducing the Australian Maths and Science Partnership Program (AMSPP).- Section 2 Research results from the classroom.- 5 Introducing the material in Maths Inside.- 6 Case Studies.- 7 Maths Inside from the student's perspective.- 8 Maths Inside from the teacher's perspective.- 9 Answering the research questions.- Section 3 Maths Inside: Looking forward.- 10 Learning from the project.