2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Work in Progress: Exploring Developing Knowledge of Mathematical Modeling Skills Using Concept Maps

Presented at Biomedical Engineering Division (BED): Best of Works in Progress

This paper describes a work-in-progress study investigating the use of concept mapping for assessing students’ conceptual knowledge over a semester in a biomedical engineering modeling course. The concept maps are used to evaluate the evolution of students’ skills in developing mathematical models that describing biological systems and students’ specific content knowledge as they complete problem-based learning projects. As students gain experience developing mathematical models to answer open-ended problem-based learning questions, we hypothesize that their conceptual understanding of mathematical modeling and of the biological systems studied will increase. This improved conceptual understanding is reflected by concept maps with increased complexity.

Authors

Mr. Grayson Rice Duke University [biography]

Grayson is a fourth year PhD candidate at Duke University in the lab of Charles Gersbach.
Dr. Ann Saterbak Duke University [biography]

Ann Saterbak is Professor of the Practice in Biomedical Engineering and Director of the First-Year Engineering Program. Since joining Duke in June 2017, she launched the new Engineering Design and Communication course. In this course, first-year students work in teams to solve community-based, client-driven problems and build physical prototypes. Prior to Duke, she taught at Rice University, where she was on the faculty since 1999. Saterbak is the lead author of two textbooks: Bioengineering Fundamentals and Introduction to Engineering Design. At Rice and Duke, Saterbak’s outstanding teaching has been recognized through five school- and university-wide teaching awards. For her contribution to education within biomedical engineering, she was elected Fellow in the Biomedical Engineering Society and the American Society of Engineering Education. She is the founding Editor-in-Chief of Biomedical Engineering Education.

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