The use of math worksheets to improve student learning in preparatory chemistry

Thesis (M.S., Chemistry) -- California State University, Sacramento, 2011.When am I ever going to use this???? (Pleacher, 1998) Many students ask themselves this question throughout grade school, high school, and college during math class. A scientist knows the answer, but a non-scientist may feel that math classes are a waste of time (Angel and LaLonde, 1998). There exists a correlation between math and science; that is why those who struggle with math do not pursue the sciences. Through years of data, the strongest evidence in how a student will perform in their college chemistry class is how well they scored in their high school math courses and how they performed on the math portion of their SATs (Andrews and Andrews, 1979). Fifty percent of freshman chemistry students drop out or fail chemistry; these students switch to non-science majors or drop out of college altogether (Angel and LaLonde, 1998). Often times these dejected students pursue a liberal studies degree and in turn teach elementary school, teaching math. If these teachers never saw the connection between math and chemistry, how can they help their students understand when they are going to use the math they are learning? (Worthy, 1982) Something must be done to stop this cycle. Sources of Data: The practices and attitudes to math related chemistry questions by 376 science-major students enrolled in an undergraduate chemistry course at California State University, Sacramento, were characterized by an introductory math quiz and survey. An additional survey and a sequence of worksheets were administered throughout the course and responses to the worksheets and worksheet related exam questions were analyzed. Conclusions Reached: Students should have the option to complete mathematic worksheets that refresh their math knowledge and help them solverelated math questions on their chemistry exams. Students??? academic performance is enhanced by the use of worksheets that aid the practical application of mathematics to chemistry education.Chemistr