The Need
   
Fusion Project Needs
The Federal government has recognized the need to improve knowledge and skills in language and mathematics. Congress authorized the "No Child Left Behind" program. The performance of our public schools is judged based on standardized test scores in language and mathematics.

Review of the published testing results clearly demonstrates that California students rank below their peers in other states and countries. We are falling behind in mathematics. Indeed, the latest results of the standardized testing reveal less than 50% of San Francisco middle school students score at Basic or above levels to meet the mandated standards.
 
 
Researching The Need
   
Interviews were conducted with school principals, educators, parents and students. They confirmed our Public Schools face difficulty in meeting the challenges faced by students for several reasons:
  • There is an enormous disparity in student demographics.
  • There is a lack of financial resources.
  • The Federal and State mandate is to concentrate scarce resources into language and mathematics. Teaching is geared to meet standardized testing in these two areas.
  • We are failing to adequately stimulate the imagination of middle school students in mathematics.
  • Experienced Math teachers tend to leave the profession as a result of greater financial opportunites in the private sector.
Fusion Project Research
Fusion Project Program Director, Mr. Philip Wagner was invited as a participant and presenter to the 2007 International BIRS workshop "Innovations in Math Education Using the Arts" held in Banff, Canada.
  • This workshop brought internationally recognized educators and artists together to discuss and develop projects promoting math education.
  • The concept of the Fusion Project was identified as having significant potential to enhance math education and was selected for development by a focus group.
  • Attendees have made substantial contributions to framework and substance development of the Fustion Project.
  • Their consensus recommendation was to target middle school students. Interest in math is gained or lost at this grade/age level.
 Application Of Research Results
   
Fusion Project Applications
The Fusion Project secured a designated grant for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF). The purpose of the grant was to fund analysis of the FAMSF collections and document their suitability to be used for the mission of the Fusion Project. The analysis served to integrate the FAMSF collections with California 7th grade math standards and the researched results of the standardized tests.

Benjamin Wells, Ph.D. (University of San Francisco Professor of Mathematics and of Computer Science) had been serving as an advisor to the Fusion Project.

FAMSF retained him to complete the analysis. The analysis included:
  • A review of the 7th Grade California Math Standards.
  • A matrix of the Standards compared to the deficiencies identified in the test score results.
  • A review of the FAMSF art collection, identifying pieces most applicable to the needs identified by analysis of the Standards and test score deficiencies.
The Standards and the standardized test results were integrated with the art collection of FAMSF. This analysis clearly demonstrates the FAMSF's collections are suitable for the mission of the Fusion Project.

Seven concept clusters were identified for development using works within the FAMSF collection. These include:
  1. Counting, adding, multiplying, grouping, distributing, and guessing
  2. Fractions, percent, and breakdown
  3. Lines, slopes, intercept, equations, and ramping up
  4. Length, surface area, and volume of odd objects
  5. Lines and planes in space, ruled surfaces, and belts
  6. Parallels, perspective, other projections, and the shining sun
  7. Uniformity, symmetry, chaos, confusion, and the feeling of being lost
An outline overview was created for each of these concept areas.
 
Work In Progress
   
A Teacher Advisory Group was recruited to develop lesson plans based on the concept areas identified. This group of five middle school math teachers worked with Education Director, Benjamin Wells, creating draft lesson plans suitable for classroom instruction.

The Fusion Project is working toward the development of a relationship with the Departments of Teacher Education of local Universities to accomplish the following objectives in the summer of 2008:
  1. Establish a fiscal sponsor relationship with a tax-exempt organization to facilitate fund raising for the Fusion Project.
  2. Coordinate review of the pilot and final lesson plan development with the Teacher Advisory Group.
  3. Develop workshops in coordination with an accredited institution for 15 middle school teachers training them in use of the lesson plans for classroom instruction.
These 15 middle school math teachers will use the lesson plans in classroom instruction beginning the fall of 2008. Members of the Teacher Advisory Group will work with these 15 teachers on implementation of the program.
 
 
Pilot Program Development Timeline
   
June- August 2008
  • Recruit an Advisory Committee of up to 6 middle school math teachers to develop instruction materials using the outline of core clusters in the outline overview.

September – December 2008
  • Evaluate implementation of the Pilot Program and identify needed adjustments.

January-June 2008
  • Work with the Teacher Education Department of the University in evaluating and adjusting the pilot program with input from the Teacher Advisory Group and the 15 middle school math teachers.
  • Prepare for roll out of expanded program implementation for the following school year.
Fusion Project Development Timeline
 
 

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