Science and math are intricately intertwined. It’s the math that makes science quantitative and allows for rigorous comparisons and descriptions of objects as tiny as subatomic particles, as large as galaxies, and everything in between. Math is often referred to as the language of science, but, unfortunately, students often perceive math as nothing more than a theoretical class of calculator button-pushing. Current science standards expect students to fully integrate science and math, using and applying math concepts as required tools for doing science.
The NGSS Science and Engineering Practices* specifically call out Analyzing and Interpreting Data and Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking as necessary skills in which all students should be proficient. The NGSS Crosscutting Concepts emphasize additional thinking and conceptual bridging skills that include Patterns and Scale, Proportion, and Quantity, which require math thinking processes, or number sense.
Carolina has free materials for you to reinforce math skills in science or flip the switch and use science to teach math.
- For a basic math refresher: Improving Students’ Math Skills for Science Class
- Find out how your students think and feel about math: Don’t Quote Me on That: Math Attitude Card Sort
Number Sense
- The basics revisited: The Metric System
- How to look at numbers: Significant Figures
- Understanding the value of numbers:Accuracy Versus Precision Beanbag Toss
- Applying math: Developing and Using Models
- From big to small: One in a Million: Using Serial Dilutions to Understand Concentration
Graphing and Data Interpretation
- For review: The Basics of Graphs and Charts
- Learning to see numbers: Very Trendy: Analyzing Data
- Start to finish: Gathering, Visualizing, and Interpreting Data
Algebra
- A physical sciences must: Physical Science Math Review: Techniques, Formulae, and Constants
- The next step forward: How to Use Mathematics and Logical Routines
- A common quantitative process: Titration Calculations
- Thinking like a mathematician: Derivation of the Kinematics Equation
Geometry
- The essence of vector analysis: Basic Right Triangle Trigonometry
- Applied geometry: Determining Actual Aquarium Volume
Statistics
- Testing basics: AP® Biology: Statistics Worksheet
- A fun way to introduce chi-square: The Psychic Professor Problem: Introducing the Chi-Square Test Through Inquiry
- Applied statistics: Mendelian Genetics
Kits and Activities to Teach and Reinforce Math Concepts
Our 3-D kits for Life Science, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth and Space Science emphasize the importance of data collection, data analysis, and data visualization. If you need to reinforce or teach a particular math skill, use this kit breakdown to make the best selection for your instructional needs.
| Item Number | Title | Math Skill Addressed |
|---|---|---|
|
Biology |
||
|
143725 |
graphing |
|
|
158940 |
probability and ratios (chi-square in extensions) |
|
|
171206 |
analyzing quantitative data, calculating total given rate and time |
|
|
180950 |
calculating amount of ingredients needed to produce a given quantity of fuel |
|
|
187015 |
calculating the absorbance of light, graphing, calculating carrying capacity |
|
|
187016 |
calculating allele frequency, graphing, probability, and ratios |
|
|
187104 |
calculating averages and percentages, using percentages, graphing |
|
|
187202 |
calculating averages, calculating totals based on sample averages, graphing, analyzing trends in graphs |
|
|
187206 |
analyzing quantitative and graphed data |
|
|
187220 |
calculating percent concentration |
|
|
187222 |
graphing, calculating percent change |
|
|
187224 |
analyzing graphs |
|
|
202208 |
graphing, calculating rate of fermentation |
|
|
206100 |
analyzing graphs |
|
|
206210 |
graphing, calculating rates, calculating averages |
|
|
211105 |
graphing, calculating average rate of change |
|
|
211555 |
calculating concentrations in additional “Working with Solutions” section |
|
|
221042 |
graphing, calculating percent change |
|
|
158778 |
graphing, statistics |
|
|
Chemistry |
||
|
750054 |
calculating change in temperature and slope, graphing |
|
|
840074 |
essentially a type of graphing and graph interpretation |
|
|
840289 |
using gas laws equations to perform various calculations, graphing |
|
|
840307 |
reading graph (spectrum) |
|
|
840325 |
interpreting graph and equation |
|
|
840357 |
using 2 equations or determining the relationship between 2 variables |
|
|
840366 |
identifying limiting reactant (more observational) |
|
|
840378 |
reading graph |
|
|
840656 |
balancing chemical equations |
|
|
840709 |
reading equations |
|
|
840715 |
calculating decay products, graphing, determining half-life |
|
|
840717 |
converting units, stoichiometric calculations, ratios |
|
|
840744 |
calculating specific heat, change in temperature, change in enthalpy, heat of solution, change in mass, heat of combustion, and percent error |
|
|
840830 |
calculating half reactions |
|
|
840835 |
calculating difference in electronegativity |
|
|
841166 |
graphing, calculating rate (slope) |
|
|
841168 |
graphing |
|
|
841170 |
calculating change in mass, change in temperature, change in thermal energy, heat of combustion, and percent error |
|
|
841174 |
estimating percent of original volume |
|
|
841176 |
reading graphs |
|
|
841182 |
ratios |
|
|
Earth and Space Science |
||
|
331102 |
calculating velocity, converting units, calculating reciprocal, graphing |
|
|
331104 |
calculating decay products, interpreting graphs |
|
|
331106 |
drawing ellipses and calculating their characteristics, determining angles, measuring arcs, calculating velocity and centripetal force, calculating percent difference, graphing, calculating orbital periods, extensive use of math skills |
|
|
331130 |
calculating change in mass, percent change, and volume of cylinder, reading graphs |
|
|
331132 |
reading graphs, calculating total carbon releases based on rates |
|
|
331134 |
graphing, trend lines |
|
|
331142 |
calculating frequency and period of oscillation |
|
|
331146 |
calculating kilos harvested per area, water use per kilo harvested, energy use per growing area, energy use per kilo harvested, area, and operational costs, reading graphs |
|
|
331148 |
calculating average distance traveled, work, average time, power generated, annual power generated, annual revenue, cost of wind farm, payback period, and homes powered per year based on consumption and generation rates |
|
|
331116 |
graphing, calculating percents, half-lives, and ages |
|
|
331118 |
calculate speed and averages |
|
|
331150 |
calculating percent change, graphing and trend lines |
|
|
331158 |
graphing |
|
|
331160 |
graphing (tree cores plots) |
|
|
331114 |
calculating rate, density, and averages |
|
|
Physics |
||
|
751463 |
calculating forces, graphing (forces), calculating slope |
|
|
754086 |
calculating frequency, wavelength, and period of waves, using a protractor |
|
|
751664 |
calculating momentum and velocity |
|
|
754010 |
calculating frequency |
|
|
756022 |
calculating averages |
|
|
753720 |
graphing/analyzing graphs |
|
|
754030 |
calculating the wavelength of light using trigonometry |
|
|
756020 |
using a protractor, graphing, using graphs to write functions |
|
|
756010 |
calculating change in potential energy, using Coulomb’s law to calculate electrical quantities |
|
|
750036 |
calculating potential and kinetic energy |
|
|
750050 |
calculating quantities using Newton’s second law of motion |
|
|
750046 |
application of the momentum equation |
|
|
180962 |
graphing and calculating slope |
|
If you’d like help selecting a kit to meet specific math needs, please email Carolina at product@Carolina.com.
*Next Generation Science Standards® is a registered trademark of WestEd. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of these products, and do not endorse them.
MATH RESOURCES
Physical Science Math Review: Techniques, Formulae, and Constants
One in a Million: Using Serial Dilutions to Understand Concentration
