Having done quite a lot of science throughout school and placement, I was aware that maths and science were closely related. With this input, there were, even more, ideas highlighted which show the relationship.
Our first task in groups of 4 was to think of as many different ways in which maths and science are related – this seems easy until you are put on the spot to think. Our group came up with these:
- Hypothesis, estimates, predictions,
- elements
- statistics
- graphs
- measuring (weight …)
- sampling
- tables and graphs
- analysing
After getting these everyone shared their ideas with the class and other ideas were highlighted. An example of a very mathematics equation related to a scientifc equation is:
e=mc2
This stands for energy = mass x (speed of light) squared which was a finding from the great Einstein 1943.
Another key skill in science which is closely related to maths is graph drawing and also analysing. This can be quite a difficult concept for primary children but also anyone who hasn’t drawn a graph in a while.
This youtube video shows the simple steps to drawing a simple graph plotting the y and x-axes and then a scale.
Within science, graphs will be used to show changes or data and make it easier to analyse. There are many different types of graphs such as; bar graph, pie chart, linear graphs…. all of which can be used for different data analysis. As the society is visually driven it is effective to have graphs and charts to show results of different experiments and data collection.
How to make a line graph – copied from (Why do scientists use graphs?)
- Label the x axis (horizontal axis) with the independent variable.
- Label the y-axis (vertical axis) with the dependent variable.
- Determine the range of your data that must fit on each axis. The range will set the scale.
- Number each axis division (line). Each division should be equally spaced.
- Plot each data pair accurately as a point on the graph.
- Choose a title that describes the graph.
This is basic instructions to introduce graph drawing.
Other areas where maths and science relate are; magnetism, electricity, forces, gravity and many more.
There are both maths and science in the Curriculum for Excellence which is used in Scotland. The principles and practices can be found on the Education Scotland website as well as the outcomes and experiences which are guidelines for teacher which the children need to complete in their time in school. There are some of the outcomes and experiences which can be cross curricular between science and maths which is likely to capture the children interest if its not just maths from a textbook but hands on data collection and analysis.
It is very clear after this input that Science is closely related to maths and one would struggle without the other.
Ref
Click to access Organizing%20Data.pdf
