exposing algebra students to inspiring mathematics stacey reynolds colomatyc spring 2013
TRANSCRIPT
Exposing Algebra Students to Inspiring Mathematics
Stacey Reynolds
ColoMATYC Spring 2013
One minute paper
Math majors/minors in the room, please write down the first math topic that inspired you and made you think…
WOW! Math is beautiful!
One minute paper
How many people wrote…– Solving quadratic equations?– Simplifying rational expressions?– Polynomial operations?– Exponent rules?
What about…– Fibonacci sequence and nature?– Mathematics and art?– Probability and poker hands?
The Research Project!
Goals:– Expose students to interesting math topics– Show students there is more to math than algebra– Inspire creativity and writing in math classes
The Research Project!
Students choose one of the following– Option A: Write a 1-2 page paper, a visit to the
writing center is required– Option B: Give a 3-5 minute presentation to the
class, a practice run through during office hours is required
Timeline Receive directions during the day of the first exam Prepare projects during unit two Present/turn in papers before major holiday (Thanksgiving or Spring Break)
List of Topics
Encourage students to explore a specific mathtopic they are already passionate or curious about!
Fibonacci Sequence and Nature* Number Systems (Bases, Mayan, Egyptian)
Golden Ratio* Probability and Poker Hands
Continued Fractions Probability and Other Gambling Games
Game Theory and the Prisoner’s Dilemma Probability and the Birthday Problem*
Game Theory and the Traveler’s Dilemma Combinatorics and the Monty Hall Problem
Number Theory and the Tower of Hanoi Understanding the Slide Rule and Abacus*
Fractals and the Mandelbrot Set Knot Theory*
Cryptography Mathematics and Art*
Topology: the Möbius Strip and Klein Bottle* History of Infinity
Graph Theory and the Four Color Map Problem History of Imaginary Numbers
Graph Theory and the Koenigsberg Bridge Problem Symbolic Logic
History of Pi History of Origami*
History of e Pythagoras and the Pythagorean Theorem
Tesselations Einstein and Einstein’s Riddle
Zeno’s Paradoxes Mathematics and Photography*
*Would make for an interesting presentation/demonstration
Points earned Points possible
Content
Introduction – define the topic 10
Body – summarize, explain, expand on topic, provide concrete examples or solutions to problem
15
Conclusion – explain relationship between topic and math, explain importance of topic
6
List a minimum of three sources 3
Format
Proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling 5
Double-spaced 2
12 point font, Times New Roman 2
Narrow margins: 0.5 inches along top/bottom/left/right 2
Other
Visited writing center, attached signed pink slip 5
Earned: Out of: 50
Rubric for Paper
Rubric for PresentationPoints earned Points possible
Content
Introduction – define the topic 10
Body – summarize, explain, expand on topic, provide demonstration (i.e. origami piece, knot), share something creative (i.e. fractal image)
15
Conclusion – explain relationship between topic and math, explain importance of topic
5
Format
Provide visual aids including models, a website, or a short video 5
Made eye contact with audience 2
Maintained appropriate audibility and pace 2
Timing (between 3-5 minutes) 2
Engaged class, encouraged participation, answered an audience question, asked audience a question, showed enthusiasm
4
Other
Scheduled and participated in a rehearsal with instructor during office hours (must be done one week in advance)
5
Earned: Out of: 50
A heads up…
3-4 students per section (out of 24) chose to present rather than write a paper
Students need to be reminded of deadlines, often
Students who choose to write a paper might rather their English instructor provide feedback instead of the writing center
Survey
What did my students think about the project once the project had been completed?
Survey Results
Survey Results
The positive:
Survey Results
The negative:– 16 students wrote “nothing” was negative about
the project
Last Comments…
Explain why the writing center is required (if you choose to require it)
Be flexible – let students switch topics and project option A/B as needed
Students won’t hate it, especially if you pitch it confidently!
