Student attitudes and confidence are often a barrier to effective teaching with ecological data.  Students’ mathematics anxiety and lack of confidence can lead to decreased performance, in a cycle where students with negative math experiences are then reluctant to engage with new quantitative content, leading to further negative experiences.  Fortunately, strategies to increase student comfort with quantitative content can help students successfully engage with ecological data.

In this workshop, participants will explore short, hands-on materials that address mathematics attitudes by increasing students’ expectations of success. These materials were developed for the Biology Students Math Anxiety and Attitudes Program (BIOMAAP), and use a range of pedagogical strategies including methods specifically targeted for retention of underrepresented students in the sciences.  We will start with brief background on the different approaches used in BIOMAAP and evidence of their effectiveness.  We will then spend the majority of the workshop trying out the materials, including whole-class activities, paper handouts, and interactive web modules.  We will also discuss challenges and effective strategies specific to attendees’ teaching setting.  The materials are not content-specific and are thus appropriate for a range of audiences. Participants will leave with a variety of materials to use in their own classrooms.  This workshop is appropriate for anyone interested in teaching with data, including TAs, postdocs, faculty at 2- or 4-year institutions, or anyone else who has confronted student fears of math in the classroom. Feel free to bring your lunch or to join us after the workshop for lunch and continued conversation.