This presentation outlined the experiences of Mathematics Professor Brandie Biddy and Instructional Librarian Melissa D’Agostino as they worked together to incorporate a research project in Cecil College’s Differential Equations course in Fall semester 2015. The presentation illustrated how to integrate research and writing assignments into math courses, as well as how to embed a librarian into a course to teach students how to successfully complete those tasks related to completing a college research project that asked students to study a topic relating the application of a specific differential equation to a real-world setting (be that a physical, chemical, biological, engineering or other setting). Topics selected by the students included the launch of the Saturn V rocket and a predator-prey model for dragons and unicorns. Embedding the librarian allowed Ms. D’Agostino to attend a class as the guest lecturer, addressing research skills, appropriate sources, and citations. She then led a hands-on session which allowed the students to get started with their research in a setting where both presenters were available to answer questions.

1. EXPLORING THE MYTHICAL
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A
LIBRARIAN AND A MATHEMATICIAN
How to incorporate research and a librarian
into a mathematics class
Melissa D’Agostino, mdagostino@cecil.edu
Brandie Biddy, bbiddy@cecil.edu
Cecil College
AFACCT 2016 Conference, College of Southern Maryland
Session #2.2, January 7, 2016 11:40 A.M.

2. INTRODUCTIONS
 Brandie Biddy
 Assistant Professor of Mathematics
 M.S. Applied & Computational Mathematics
 B.S. Mathematics
 Melissa D’Agostino
 Instructional Librarian
 Master Library & Information Science
 B.A. Mathematics

3. MATH 246
 Differential Equations
 Highest level math course offered
 16 students
 Engineering majors
 Math majors
 Most students are engineering so focus is on
applications

4. ASSIGNMENT
Research-based projects would allow the
opportunity to
 Get students thinking outside the box.
 Give more challenging problems to students.
 Answer the questions “When am I ever going to
use this?” by finding real life applications of
course material.
 Incorporate cross-discipline and life skills by
including a written report and oral and visual
presentation.

5. ASSIGNMENT
 Project Guidelines
 Study a topic relating to the application of a
differential equations to a specific physical,
chemical, biological, engineering or other setting
 6 groups of 2-3

6. Guidelines for your paper:
APA format.
10-15 pages
Include:
 introduction presenting the physical problem and the model differential equation that
is relevant for it
 section devoted to background information and theory behind the model/method
 section explaining the specific situation you have chosen to model. Be sure to
define all variables and explain all constants
 methods section showing the work to solve your situation
 results section that presents the analysis and mathematical and/or numerical results
that you have obtained from your chosen situation
 summary/discussion/conclusion, detailing the outcome and impact of your results to
the physical problem of interest
 figures and graphs where necessary to illustrate your model, methods, work and
results
 Appendix with any Maple calculations or MatLab code used
Project Timetable:
 Due W 9/9: Groups turn in at least three ideas for a topic (topic will be approved by
instructor)
 Due W 10/14: Abstract
 Due W 11/18: Rough Draft of background/research and details of chosen situation
 Due W 12/9: Final paper and presentation.

7. ASSIGNMENT
 Outside of my comfort zone
 Never created a rubric
 Never graded a paper
 Wasn’t sure what my expectations were
 Went with loose guidelines
 Students struggled a bit with such open
requirements
 Worked out well in the long run
 The flexibility gave room for creativity

8. LIBRARY PRESENTATION
 Vision of library research
 Prior semester had sub-par results
 Concerned Librarian presentation too basic –
surprised Librarian made it course specific
 September 30th
 Prior to abstract due date
 ½ hour lecture
 ½ hour guided research
 Following slides are the presentation given to
students:
 Note the superhero theme – easier to relate to and remember

9. ABOUT ME
• Melissa D’Agostino
• Instructional Librarian
• Phone 410-674-1492
• mdagostino@cecil.edu
via minifigures.lego.com

10. SEARCH CONNECTORS
• AND
• Combine different ideas
• Finds articles that mention both
via periodictable.com; marvel.com
Rocket Raccoon AND Groot

11. SEARCH CONNECTORS
• OR
• Combine synonyms
• Finds articles that mention either
via marvel.com
Peter Quill OR Starlord

12. MATH LIBGUIDE
 Library webpage
 Subject Guides
 Mathematics
 http://cecil.libguides.com/math
 Four tabs:
 Basic Web Resources
 Finding Scholarly Articles
 Finding Books
 APA Citations

13. APA CITATIONS
via reasonistproducts.com
Handout given to students:
http://bit.ly/1Org72m

14. LIBRARY PRESENTATION
 Hour of guided research time in computer lab
 Planned ½ hour but they were doing such good
work we didn’t want to cut them off!
 Alleviating panic – students typically do initial
research late in process and can’t ask questions
 Narrowing down topic through researching – trial
and error
 Eliminated topics that were too advanced early

15. IMMEDIATE POSITIVE RESULTS
Topic selection
 Topics got more interesting after library session
 Equations of motion in relation to rockets became “A
Differential Analysis of the Standard Newtonian Equations of
Force and Motion Applied to Model the Launch of a Saturn V
Rocket”
 Projectile motion became “Video Game Physics, Using
Numerical Solutions to Mimic Reality”
 Topics included:
 Band pass filter with RLC circuit
 Epidemic SIR model (ebola)
 Projectile motion in video games (Halo)
 Geodesics applied to flight patterns over Earth
 Launch of Saturn V Rocket
 Population dynamics of dragons and unicorns

16. STUDENT FEEDBACK
 To library presentation:
 Most helpful info gleaned from presentation:
 math research section to the library website
 how to use databases effectively
 APA citation handout
 Definitely not a waste of time 
 To assignment as a whole:
 Preferable to a cumulative test
 Enjoyed real-world experience
 Had never done a paper/project to this caliber

17. RESULTS
 Best grades → worst projects
 Used the most basic methods
 Had the most disorganized papers
 Overall:
 Better topics
 Better resource lists
 Formatting issues

18. RESULTS
 Validity of citations
 54 total citations
 8 scholarly articles
 10 books
 2 videos
 34 websites
 Ran the gamut – MathWorld Wolfram, National Geo, NASA
all great but many questionable websites used
 Lack of in-text citations

19. QUESTIONS?