| This summer, a group of secondary science and mathematics teachers,
college methods faculty, and undergraduate students could be observed
on the UNO, UNL, and Concordia University campuses measuring their
EEG patterns. The participants proceeded to develop Fourier Series
mathematical models which closely resembled their brain waves. Using
software, the models were then transcribed into musical notation so
that the participants could "listen" to the EEG readings.
Funded by Eisenhower Professional Development Funds, the "Sound
Waves and Brain Waves" workshops were intended to promote the
use of mathematics related technology in high school classrooms. The
workshop participants plan to form action teams which will present
lesson plan ideas to college undergraduates seeking to become secondary
mathematics teachers. Further efforts will be made to monitor and
promote similar activities in high school classes.
According to Dr. David Fowler, director of the program and Associate
Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at UNL, the emergence of
new tools such as the software program Mathematica and the TI-92
calculator provided the impetus for the project. Analyzing brain
waves gives students important insights into the nature of mathematical
modeling. To the eye, EEG measurements appear complicated and chaotic.
However, the Mathematica software can sift through the "noise"
to identify underlying frequencies. Classroom efforts similar to
the workshop activities will help students learn how to apply mathematics
toward interpreting data.
Further information about the program may be obtained from the
web address http://www.unl.edu/tcweb/Faculty/fowler/fourier/1141MSet.html.
Those with questions should contact Dr. Fowler, via e-mail dfowler@unl.edu
or phone (402) 472-3347.
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