Cross-Curricular Coding: Integrating Programming with Math and Science

In today’s career market, graduates need to grasp technology to be able to compete for jobs in the STEM field. Thus, the current educational trends indicate that integrating the instruction of coding across the curriculum is on the rise. In many school settings, coding has become an important part of students’ instruction in math and science as a means of preparing them for the future. Therefore, we’ll look more closely at coding and math, as well as science instruction.

Why Are STEM Integration and Coding Important?

Students gain an advantage by learning and practicing coding in the context of math and science. When teachers merge these subjects together, they give their students an additional edge on developing critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deeper understanding of how STEM concepts can be applied in real-world situations.

Furthermore, the art of writing code has crossed over into other professions from the fine arts to digital marketing. Hence, passing this skill onto the next generation provides an extensively positive impact on the job market.

How Teachers Integrate Coding and Math

To begin with, students gain the perfect opportunity to learn how to code when dealing with mathematical concepts. Combining the hands-on approach of programming with abstract ideas can help students to see how math applies to everyday life.

Using Coding Languages and Tools in Geometry

In the context of geometry, students can learn how algorithms work when obtaining measurements.  Thus, by coding, they can figure out the area of a polygon, circumference, or the distance between two points with more accuracy and at a quicker pace.

Students can also use coding languages and platforms for drawing the shapes and lines needed for practicing geometrical concepts and applications. To further support learning, math worksheets provide targeted exercises that reinforce these geometric principles, helping students practice calculations and problem-solving as a complement to coding activities.  Ultimately, coding in the setting of the geometry classroom can prepare students for careers in graphic design and architectural, and mechanical design.

How Coding Reinforces the Skills of Measuring

Along with taking spatial measurements in geometry, students can apply coding and math to measuring probability, time, and other metrics. As an example, students can learn how to use Python to detect and measure objects in real time and with sharp accuracy.

Students can also apply the skill of coding to the study of climate by measuring weather patterns such as temperature, wind speed, and humidity. Moreover, languages like C++ can be used to create simulations of occurrences in nature, which enables students to obtain data from these models and then create a program that graphs and charts the results.

Teaching Factors and Multiples through Coding

Coding also proves to be a valuable skill that reinforces a student’s knowledge of factoring, division, and multiplication. In fact, the interactive component of coding allows students to gain clear visualizations that bring these concepts to life. By using coding languages, students can write programs that create factor trees and Venn Diagrams which help them to see relationships between numerical groups. Moreover, students can create codes that assist them with finding the greatest common factor.

Solving Algebraic Equations with Coding

One other aspect of STEM integration is setting variables and writing equations that culminate in the creation of codes that have specific functions. This practice can be a great help in applying algebraic principles for the sake of getting a more visual and hands-on approach. In turn, students are more able to retain what they’ve learned.

For instance, students can write programs to graph their solutions to algebraic equations. Plus, they can learn to code for the purpose of creating an interactive game. In turn, they check their “answers” by running the program to see if it functions properly, thus giving them a visual and practical view of how algebra works.

How to Teach Science through Coding

As you can see, coding and math go hand in hand. However, many educators are also finding that you can teach science through coding—and vice versa.

Creating Simulations by Coding

Coding provides a vehicle for creating simulations that allow students to explore and present complex scientific concepts using animation. In one scenario, students would use coding language to create animated depictions of objects in motion at different velocities for a physics class.

Plus, if you’re curious about coding in the context of astronomy, students can design an animated image that shows the life cycle of a star.

We can look at yet another use for coding in a biology class. In this case, students can use similar technology to present their analysis of microbes in a water sample. One additional advantage to coding this type of simulation is the student’s ability to gain data in real time.

Employing Robotics and Coding

Of course, we might be familiar with the role of coding the physics and engineering lab. In this situation, students design robots or other mechanisms and program their specific functions.

As we’ve seen in recent years, robotics has grown more popular in almost all levels from elementary to high school. To give you a clear idea, preschoolers or kindergartners can learn block-based coding that involves drag-and-drop functions. Older students, on the other hand, can work with more complex coding languages like Python, Java, and C/C++.

Practicing Data Analysis

When you think about it, all branches of science involve data collection. Therefore, learning how to code makes sense. By writing their own programs, students can generate data more quickly and in turn, create a graph or chart that depicts their results.

Going beyond just looking at numbers, students also get the chance to hone their math and critical thinking skills. After all, they still have to draw conclusions based on their calculations.

The Benefits of Including Coding in the Math and Science Classroom

Math and science both involve processes and making judgment calls based on calculations. So, it’s no wonder that coding fits into math and science curricula. Below, we have lined out the benefits of coding instruction as part of STEM integration.

Providing Another Means of Assessing Skills

Coding in math or science comes with one advantage when it comes to assessing students’ acquisition of skills and knowledge. And that relates to the fact that students have to test out their program to see if it achieves its intended goal or purpose. Whether or not the program works, the student will have gone through the process of learning the coding language and applying it towards writing a program.

In fact, the mistakes that the students make in the coding process serve as an opportunity for learning and improvement. In other words, the students can go back and take another look at their coding and variables to see what went wrong. This type of practice gives the teacher a chance to see how the students are progressing with their coding skills (a.k.a. assessment). And students undergo a learning process that’s far more meaningful than repetitive actions and memorization.

Encouraging Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

And because students have retrace their steps to figure out how to debug their code when the program doesn’t work out well, they gain more opportunities for complex problem-solving and critical thinking. For example, students get further away from the habit of plugging in random numbers. Instead, they start to build habits related to paying close attention to detail while troubleshooting.

Promoting Collaborative Learning

Another advantage of coding in the science and math classroom is the student collaboration. However, you’ll see some tremendous differences between this form of cooperation compared to other types of group projects. One is rigor, and the other is accountability. For starters, as noted above, the students take on more complex tasks that involve more critical thinking, especially when it comes to the debugging aspect of coding.

As a result of the enhanced rigor, each student has to do his or her part in the coding project. For instance, some students would be testing the group’s program while others analyze the data that’s generated and suggest any necessary changes.

And when in doubt, teachers can also check on the group’s dynamics with software like Git which tracks the group’s progress.

Facilitating Interest in STEM Careers

And naturally, STEM integration often leads to building interest on the part of the students. Whether they practice coding and math or with coding in their science classes, they get to see for themselves how these academic subjects relate to daily life. In that regard, they might decide to pursue a career in the STEM fields.

Challenges that Come with STEM Integration

On the other hand, you might expect some of the following obstacles to get in the way when school personnel decide to teach coding through science or incorporate its instruction into their math curriculum.

Lack of Resources

One common problem that we see in school districts is limited resources and funding. How many classrooms deal with the issue of not having enough devices for all students to participate in any technology-based exercise? Unfortunately, this scenario happens quite often.

Another issue relates to the inability to afford a subscription to a coding platform or app. When a school (or the entire district) doesn’t have enough money for this endeavor, they might opt for the free platforms, which are viable options. However, some instructors may want extra features (like assessment tools and student access at home) that come with paid subscriptions.

Nevertheless, district officials can designate grant proposal writers to work with science and math department heads to seek out the funding needed for more STEM-related opportunities. Likewise, community officials and business owners might step up and assist with the funding that’s needed for STEM integration.

The Need for Teacher Training

Yet another issue involves a lack of personnel with the expertise to teach coding through science and math. However, this challenge presents an opportunity for team teaching or collaborative lesson planning. As an illustration, if the math and science departments in a school have one or just a few teachers who know how to utilize and teach coding languages, then they can set up a teachers’ workshop or collaborate with their colleagues for an interdisciplinary project for the students.

Also, you can count on teachers to find the necessary professional development opportunities. If they find a workshop or ongoing training, they can present this idea to the principal who can then try to secure the necessary funding from the district.

Ability to Meet Diverse Learning Needs

Also related to the need for more professional development is the challenge of meeting the needs of students with many different learning styles and/or exceptionalities.

At the same time, teachers and paraprofessionals who have valuable experience and insight that comes from working with diverse learners can lend their expertise to providing the necessary training for math and science instructors.

This situation also offers a collaborative teaching opportunity where the instructors support each other—and the students as they work on a coding project together. Plus, you have a higher teacher-to-student ratio which is ideal for everyone involved.

Tips for Implementing Cross-curricular Coding in Math and Science Instruction

Once a district or homeschool co-op overcomes the obstacles, they can then look at some of the best practices for implementing cross-curricular coding.

The Public and Private School Classroom

First, effective STEM integration depends on finding the right coding program that keeps students engaged while still stretching their critical thinking skills. As you might’ve guessed, the teachers who work with these students would be the best judges.

Another tip relates to logistics. For instance, teachers can swap the desks for tables and add a computer or tablet station. And let’s not forget a chart that contains important information about the coding language that the students will be using.

Implementing Coding while Homeschooling

Unlike public schools, homeschooling parents have more flexibility with choosing the right coding program or app for their children. However, the following hints might still come in handy:

·   Exploring various online options (ie: Code Monkey)

·   Enroll your children in STEM camps and clubs

·   Join or start a STEM co-op.

Also, you and your children can participate in coding activities together to where both of you are learning the process. This would enable you to give more instructional support as your children progress in their studies.

Final Thoughts

As we look at integrating STEM instruction, we can keep in mind the increasing number of digital platforms that combine coding and math, along with the sciences. Ideally, they’ll become commonly used tools in the classroom as textbooks. After all, we’ve seen an increase in STEM-related careers and many others that rely on technology.