Effects of Horticulture-Mathematics Integrated Education Program on Math Attitude and Accomplishment of Mathematics in Elementary School Students

This study examined a 12-session horticulture-mathematics integrated education program from April 1, 2008 to July 15, 2008. The subjects were 60 elementary school students at 4th grade who are divided into an treatment group 30 students and a comparison group another 30 students. Both groups had no difference of interest in the mathematics at the beginning of the program. The study conducted a test of each mathematics unit for both the treatment group and comparison group after the program. The scores of the follow-up test reveal that the treatment group had increased interest in mathematics. The average score of the treatment group was 86.7 points, which was much higher than that of the comparison group, 66.5 points. The horticulture-mathematics integrated education program was found to improve the school children’s interested in the mathematics. Based on the results of the follow-up test, 56.7% of the children show increased interest in the mathematics, and 30.0% show interest in the plants. Also, after the program, the children show improvement in their school lives. The education program was also found to help the children live more pleasantly in school. For instance, 66.7% of the children showed more interest in mathematics and 20% were more pleasant in school. The education program was also found to help parents pay attention to their children’s school lives and learning.