Even young students can begin to understand abstract topics like quantum mechanics, if given the chance. Nahuel Acosta and Auriana Anderson join us to discuss their research related to delivering guest lessons on quantum mechanics in K-12 classrooms. We learn why teaching quantum mechanics concepts early is useful, what their research revealed about their students’ growth, and how the experience affected them as pre-service teachers.

Later, we look at the connections (or lack of connections) between math anxiety and students’ approximate number system (ANS). Previous work has suggested that underdeveloped skills in approximation may eventually lead to higher math anxiety… but that might not hold up in new studies.

Finally, our Hot Off the Presses segment looks at fresh news on how teachers fund their classrooms, and the role of crowdfunding services like Donors Choose.

• First Segment – 01:47 – Quantum Mechanics in K-12
• Second Segment – 23:12 – Approximate Number Sense and Math Anxiety
• Third Segment – 35:01 – Hot Off the Presses – Ways Teachers Fund Classrooms

Cover image by COD Newsroom

Featured Guests

Auriana Anderson
Undergraduate Researcher
UTeach Boston

Nahuel Acosta
Undergraduate Researcher
UTeach Boston

Primary Citations

Supplemental Citations

Featured Beverage

We drink Festbier, a Vienna-style Oktoberfest lager from KC Bier Co in Kansas City, MO.