While mathematics are second nature to college engineering students, the discipline may not be easy for everyone else, including elementary school students.

To make learning fun and provide a way to track improvement, Tri-State University students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering took part in a collaborative mathematics teaching and learning initiative with third-graders at Pleasant Lake Elementary School in Pleasant Lake, Ind.

The TSU students developed a software program which targeted math skills identified by Pleasant Lake teacher Barb Yoder. During the seven-week program, the TSU students met weekly with Yoder for an hour to answer questions about the software, review it for adequacy and discuss changes.

Two TSU students put in weekly time observing the third-graders as they used the program, identifying problems and possible improvements. A report by Yoder and TSU professor Stan Yoder wrapped up the project.

While the third-graders improved their math abilities, the TSU students learned skills to use in their future professional lives, such as developing good customer-client relationships and conducting themselves in a professional manner. They also learned to gather requirements, carry out the software development, and make changes and add value to software programs to satisfy client needs.

The TSU and Pleasant Lake Elementary School students wrapped up their collaborative teaching and learning experience with a pizza party in the elementary school science room April 25.