Improving Student Interest, Mathematical Skills, and Future Successthrough Implementation of Novel Mathematics Bridge Course for High School Seniors and Post-secondary Students

We present a new course titled “Introduction to the Mathematical Sciences.” The course content is 1/3 algebra, 1/3 statistics, and 1/3 computer science and is taught in a laboratory environment on computers. The course pedagogy departs radically from traditional mathematics courses taught in the U.S. and makes extensive use of spreadsheet software to teach algebraic and statistical concepts. The course is currently offered in area high schools and two-year postsecondary institutions with financial support from a Blandin Foundation grant (referenced under BFG). We will present empirical evidence that indicates students in this course learn more algebra than students in a traditional semester-long algebra course. Additionally, we present empirical evidence that students learn statistical and computer science topics in addition to algebra. We will also present the model of developing this course which depended on increasing future student success in a variety of disciplines at the post-secondary level of study