Solar Oven -- International STEM Project

Lunch the 21st Century Math Project way

If you are trying to integrate an international flair into your science and math curriculum, this 21st Century Math Project is a great place to start. Students will design, build, test, and present a solar oven design with the objective of heating a hot dog the hottest. This is a hands-on STEM project for hands-on students. This works great when integrated scatterplots, best-fit functions, with energy. There are plenty of great opportunities to extend this learning into the humanities as well! Temperature probes with TI's work great! Any will do.

Name: Solar Oven

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Advanced Algebra, Algebra II or Precalculus skills)

Math Concepts: Scatterplot, Creating, Using and Analyzing Regression Functions, Data Collection

Interdisciplinary Connections: Science, Heat & Energy, Global Studies

Teaching Duration: 4-5 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $5 for a 9 Page PDF (1 project and handouts) 

PDF Version: Solar Oven @ TPT

The Product: Students will use their solar ovens to heat a hot dog and will measure its temperature over time. And eat! 

Whoopdidoo! Like this applies to
your content area! Good grief!

At our school we had a local professor speak to an entire school body. Essentially, his work was developing large scale, efficiency solar cookers that he could then take to some of the poorest communities in Africa. To me that sure sounded like a 21st Century Math Project!

Of course I did not invent the idea of a Solar Oven project, but in most iterations I could find, most of them were science specific. As with a few of my other projects, science is the ideal fit for both mathematical rigor and real world relevancy. The challenge is to build up the mathematics side of these traditionally science activities, identify the core math concepts in play and concentrate on teaching these skills. In terms of Solar Ovens, regression functions, (exponential functions specifically) are at the core when heating or cooling. If you are teaching lines of best fit (or your students have this skill), there’s no reason this can’t be extended to work in your classroom.

An actual authentic application...?
Did I take the wrong bus this morning?

The best, simple, Solar Oven designs I have seen is with a modified pizza box. Fortunately high school kids eat pizza so these contraptions are usually available. There are plenty of possible designs that are one Google away from helping your students on their journey. I would suggest that the design component of your project should take place in a computer lab for the resources.

This is another project that can easily draw in the community. If there are local engineers that want to get out of their cubicle, walk in the sunlight and stuff, it’s a great way to get your students in contact with professionals outside of the school. I’ve been very fortunate with my engineer contacts. They always come with and provide invaluable classroom support. They also like it a lot! Give it a whirl and make the contact and I wouldn’t be surprised if they become an annual fixture!

How might we use this knowledge to
help the global community?

EXTENSION: There are endless possibilities. Creating PSAs. Entering Science Fairs. Building a large scale oven with the help of engineers to send it to a developing country. Comparing and contrasting the results of morning classes and afternoon class results. It’s a matter of how far you want to step.

If you give a man a hot dog cooked with the sun, they’ll eat it, but if you teach a man to cook a hot dog with the sun, it’s a 21st Century Math Projects. In the event of the forthcoming Zombie Apocalypse, you can’t take for granted things like grills, ovens and microwaves. This might be the only means. 

Prezi -- Cool Free Web-based Software

Tired of PowerPoint after PowerPoint after PowerPoint after PowerPoint after PowerPoint? While, making a good PowerPoint is a great skill for a high school student to have. Students will quickly hit a wall with the software and not learn any new tricks. I think it’s important when I do a project that I’m teaching a new skill with a new software. This way they are learning multiple things at one time! Enter Prezi!

Kill posterboards with me

You have likely seen a Prezi before and it’s possible that you have used it in your class. When I introduce it to students, their eyes light up in a way doing a PowerPoint for the 431st time will never. Prezi is relatively user friendly if you understand their control “wheel”. They do have high quality how-to videos on their site that you can show to the class. One thing I have learned about this software is they are always upgrading it. Every time I log on there seems to be some new feature (Like Spellcheck!).

What else is super cool about Prezi? Technology group work does not mean three kids sit at one computer. One types, one rocks with their iPod and the other naps. Multiple students CAN ALL be working on the Prezi from DIFFERENT computers. Funny little characters “walk” on your partners screen so you know where they are working and what they are doing.

The way my brain works

The other awesome thing? It’s web-based so it saves to the web. No worries about flash drives or school networks or emailing to themselves. They can log onto any computer and get it. It is 99% impossible to lose it (forgetting their password is a completely different story).

Who can use this? Pretty much anyone who wants to use a PowerPoint can just as easily use a Prezi. How does it fit into a math class? At times, I like students to conclude a math project with some sort of analysis presentation whether it be a PSA or a jury trial. This can just as easily be used for those conclusions. How I use class time with this is the careful issue. It is certainly something I’m more likely to ask students to do at home.

If there’s someone who uses their union paid counseling because they are tired of PowerPoints – this could be a welcomed change for them.

Sploder -- Cool Website Spotlight

Does every student in your class want to design a video game? Sometimes I've felt that way. They certainly love playing games in the computer lab when I'm not looking. When I was tasked with designing a 21st century technology course, I knew we'd be in the lab a lot. Video Games are a natural extension and I came across this jewel of a site that is ready for students -- Sploder.

Be the favoritest teacher ever.

On this site, you are able to design one of four different model games (each with a varying degree of difficulty). Three of them are designed primarily with dragging and dropping pre-designed objects into a world of their own creation. I started my students on what I thought was the simplest game. "The Classic Shooter" this allows a student to create a game board, set up tasks and objectives and litter their world with hazards. Students created high quality games in 2-3 days.

After learning the ins and outs of this, we moved on to "Platform Creator" and this is where they fell in love. Students are able to create games that surpass the  quality of original Nintendo games. They are able to create multiple levels and customize on a more intimate level.

Enter Rambo Spongebob

It was in the middle of this that I made a surprising revelation. Students were designing, testing, redesigning, getting peer feedback, offering feedback, revising. This is exactly what you want students to do with their English paper, but they are happy to turn in a 30 minute turd. After this was completed I shared this observation with students and got some interesting reflection.

The final game we created was the "Physics Puzzle Maker" which is an animal all in itself. This is finally the point some of the kids through in the towel and others buckled down. In this game builder, you are building and defining EVERYTHING that happens in the game. As opposed to the convenient dragging and dropping in the other games, this gets very complex, but there are some high quality video tutorials on YouTube that could help with it.

How will this fit into your class? Unless you are teaching technology, I'm sorry to say this likely will not work into your lesson plans, but if you need to cater to a student's interest in games, be the cool teacher that lets your student build a video game during lunch! There just not enough options to customize it to make it work into a lesson in a content class (believe me I've though about it for a long time). There is a ton a math and science on display, but right now I can't think of a meaty enough topic that could work with it.

Pass it along to the Computer teacher in your building though! And perhaps your own children need to get away from playing six straight hours of video games, but you'd rather spark their creative juices!

It truly is a fun site that I'm surprised I'd never heard of before. Check it out!

Theme Park Tycoon -- Integrated Math Project

Weeeeeeeee!

Any teacher knows ANY period can be a roller coaster ride. In this 21st Century Math Project, Variables & Expressions go to the Amusement Park in this engaging four assignment unit designed for Algebra or Pre-Algebra. Bring variables to life using a theme park motif. From park operations to admissions, variables and expressions are the backbone of the analysis of the Amusement Park’s data.

All that and this happen to be one of my hottest selling projects!

Name: Theme Park Tycoon

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Basic Algebra skills)

Math Concepts: Translating Verbal and Algebraic Expressions, Order of Operations, Mathematical Modeling

Interdisciplinary Connections: Business, Entertainment

Teaching Duration: 2-3 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $5 for a 12 Page PDF (3 assignments, 1 project with answer key) 

PDF Version: Theme Park Tycoon @ TPT

The Product: After a careful analysis of the park’s data, students make a proposal regarding the need for another roller coaster at the park.

Money. Speed. Cotton Candy. I'm in.

 
Josie is the new manager of a theme park -- Fun Time Awesome Place. Unfortunately, Fun Time Awesome Place is considered the thirteenth best amusement park in the Midwest and she has to turn it around! One of her duties is to collect and analyze data to determine how the park is doing financially and figure out which rides are the most efficient. It’s the student’s job to help determine some mathematical expressions that will help make her job much smoother.

Although most adults are deathly afraid of the Quadruple Brain-Crippler Vortex, Middle School kids will hop right on and claim it’s the most amazing thing ever. Capture that invincible, youthful energy and package it into your Pre-Algebra or Algebra 1 class.

Understanding and writing verbal expression is still one of the most difficult skills in math. Really, whenever students are asked to learn to interchange between multiple representations, it’s a challenge. I created three assignments that increase in difficulty and practice different aspects of the skills. Depending on the level of your students, these assignments may be better off done in groups and follow it up with some teacher leadership.

Roller coasters? I need to see the
Common Core.

After having done this a few times, I have worked out a number of the kinks that my students faced in the assignment. For the most part there was great benefit to doing it in class and going over the answers in the end.

While there are a number of Common Core Standards in regards to mathematical modeling and writing algebraic expressions, I have selected a few from 7^th Grade and High School Standards.

7^th Grade Algebra

Use properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions.

·         Apply properties of operations as strategies to add, subtract, factor, and expand linear expressions with rational coefficients.

·         Solve real-life and mathematical problems using numerical and algebraic expressions and equations.

·         Solve multi-step real-life and mathematical problems posed with positive and negative rational numbers in any form (whole numbers, fractions, and decimals), using tools strategically. Apply properties of operations to calculate with numbers in any form; convert between forms as appropriate; and assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies. 

·         Use variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem, and construct simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities.

How can you cover all those standards
in a stupid roller coaster assignment!!!

High School Algebra:

·         Interpret expressions that represent a quantity in terms of its context.

·         Interpret parts of an expression, such as terms, factors, and coefficients.

·         Interpret complicated expressions by viewing one or more of their parts as a single entity. 

·         Choose and produce an equivalent form of an expression to reveal and explain properties of the quantity represented by the expression.

This won’t be a three minute thrill ride, but this 21st Century Math Project is at least three days of glorious business related relevancy. 

Superhero Transformations -- Hands-On STEM Project

Mathematical Swagg Power Up!

The first-ever 21st Century Math Project Blog poll winner is now an official 21st Century Math Project. Turn your Geometry, Algebra 2 or Pre-Calculus classroom into Superhero City while teaching the useful skills of tranformations. Specifically focusing on translations and reflections, heroes paired with a specific mathematics function family, have to zap enemies all over the coordinate grid into submission to save their city. Students will use cutouts of functions to turn this into a hands-on math project that will serve many different types of learners and plays into their childhood superhero infatuations!

Name: Superhero Transformations

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Geometry & Pre-Calculus skills)

Math Concepts: Transformations, Translation, Reflection, Families of Functions

Interdisciplinary Connections: Comics, Art

Teaching Duration: 3-5 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $6 for a 25 Page PDF (4 assignments and answer key) 

PDF Version: Superhero Transformations @ TPT (Download the Preview to see everything for FREE)

The Product: Students complete a series of tasks that culminate in taking down the mysterious Big Boss Villain. Can be expanded to creating a Pixton Comic (not provided)!

Hey Kid, put down that printer.

BOOM! POW! WHAMO! If those words remind you of your 7th Period Class, I... think you should find another blog regarding classroom management. If those words remind you of the hours you'd spend trying to hunt down that elusive Magneto action figure this might be perfect for you. If your kids dig comics and comic-book movies. This might be perfect for them! I've noticed a comic book renaissance of sorts in the school hallway especially with the awesomeness of the Avengers. 

One of the things that I do that many would consider unconventional is that before I teach how to manipulate any non-linear functions (square roots, exponentials etc.), I teach families of functions and transformations. I think this breaks down students intimidation of long equations with these different functions in them, it makes them more accessible and helps them understand that in many respects, they work the same. 

Does this mean I won't feel like I want to
disappear from class for a few days?
Are we actually going to do
something challenging?

In this project, I have assembled a dynamic mathematical superhero team where each hero has a different power that behaves like a different function. Heroes with Linear, Quadratic, Exponential, Cubic, Square Root and Absolute Value functions are stars of the show. There are a couple special guest appearances from the villains. 

No hero with a Wolfhead?
I'm slightly put off by the omission.

In creating this project, it was critical to me that it's not just glitz and glamor, but there truly is a bunch of hardcore mathematics at its core. I feel I have created something that authentically teaching translations and reflections and will serve both ends of the classroom. By creating functions that can be cut-out, this will make the tasks hands-on and accessible for all learners. By creating wicked challenging scenarios, the most advanced students will be enriched with the puzzle that the later problems create. By creating colorful, amusing heroes and villains, the most difficult to engage will be grabbed. 

EXTENSION: Perhaps there can be a comic book assignment that emerges that uses solid math jokes. Don't use class time for this. I'm begging you. Maybe a weekend extra credit assignment. :-)

So here it is, the 21st Century Math Project for the peeps. Hopefully you dig. I'll be setting up a little challenge for the blog followers tomorrow to give away a free copy! Keep you eyes open.

Pixton – Cool Free Web-based Software

Cartooning is made easy and accessible for all students with this free web-based software. Pixton is a free web-based software that allows students to create comic strips. Pre-Made characters are built as “puppets” so students are free to pose them however they would like. There are a built-in pre-made poses for anyone trying to get that perfect karate kick. Students are able to make comic books for free, but if additional features are desired pay options do exist. 

Howdy Partner

Students have never been more engrossed in a web-based software than when we used this one. The customization and freedom of expression worked great for my students. That said on my end there were a couple of challenges. Students can only make 6 panels so if their story extended, they had to make a “second” comic strip. For assessment, sending links does not work. What we decided to do was have students pull up their comics on a computer, have each comic strip on a different tab and we did a gallery walk of sorts. This worked well enough.

With Customizable Swimwear

How does this fit into a math classroom? Again very very carefully. This is the type of project that without solid structure on the teacher’s part can be on the fast track to learn-nothing-about-math-ville. In other words, the math project plague. I’ve been there. I’ve had students look up their favorite car on the computer to find the price and features. I know how this can become a dreadful waste of time without solid structure. At times, I like students to conclude a math project with some sort of analysis presentation whether it be a PSA or a jury trial. This can just as easily be used for those conclusions. How I use class time with this is the careful issue. It is certainly something I’m more likely to ask students to do at home.

I have used this software in my technology class. I asked students to imagine the world in 2030 and included 10 science-based inventions that are in development today. I asked students to construct a narrative built around a character trying to accomplish a goal. Basic story structure. I had some really awesome projects that exceeded my expectations. If you are also teaching English, Social Studies, Science, World Language, etc. this might be a really cool resource for you.

Would I use this in a math class? There are only a few topics I would even consider it (such as translating algebraic and verbal expressions). Otherwise it might serve best in a role play where someone is teaching someone else a math concept. I don’t feel a rock solid foundation that connects to a math concept, so I’d be extremely hesitant. Nonetheless, it’s super duper fun and someone in your building may love it!

Box Car Derby -- STEM Project

I feel the need, the need for practical equation solving

Hands-on math takes center stage in this 21st Century Math Project. Implementing STEM style project-based learning is the focus in this middle and high school math project. Along with designing, building and constructing a cardboard car students will use algebra skills to solve basic physics problems, engage in reflective writing and use data to support their decisions.

Name: Box Car Derby
Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Algebra I math skills)
Math Concepts: Manipulating & Calculating with Basic Physics Equations, Measurement
Interdisciplinary Connections: Science & Engineering
Teaching Duration: 3-5 Days (can be modified)
Cost: $5 for a 12 Page PDF (1 project and essentials, 1 assignment with answer key)
PDF Version: Box Car Derby @ TPT

The Product: A Box Car Derby Competition! With optional reflective presentation of results and Design Process.

What's that noise?

Transform an ordinary Pop-Tart box into a smooth riding street racer! Students will get uber-enaged in this 21st Century Math Project in their attempt to be fastest racer. This serves as Middle or High School math project and can be a great collaboration between math and science.

The first time I used this project was in my 9th Grade Algebra 1 Class in a collaboration with the Physical Science teacher. Students submitted designs, “purchased” items for our store with their budget, built and test to perfection. It’s safe to say, this project was a huge success. The most difficult aspect was getting a strong wheel and axle combination. By far the best combo that worked were straight straws (with no bendy neck) and tealight candles. You can get a billion of them for $10 at Amazon.

Playing with Fruit Loops boxes.
Is that in the Common Core?

While there is not precise Common Core standard for Fruit Loops boxes, these are a few high school standards that fit this project:

Algebra:
--Seeing Structure in Expressions
• Interpret the structure of expressions
-- Reasoning with Equations and Inequalities
• Understand solving equations as a process of reasoning and explain the reasoning
• Solve equations and inequalities in one variable
• Rearrange formulas to highlight a quantity of interest, using the same reasoning as in solving equations.
Statistics:
-- Interpreting Categorical and Quantitative Data
• Summarize, represent, and interpret data of two categorical and quantitative variables
-- Making Inferences and Justifying Conclusions
• Make inferences and justify conclusions from sample surveys, experiments and observational studies

Can I take my Ratchet-Mobile home with me?

Let the games begin! After the Box Car Derby, it is in the teacher’s discretion to turn it into a Demolition Derby. While it sounds appeal, you’re soft (and hard) children will likely want to keep their car after their significant bonding period. It’s like a birth.

EXTENSION: While these cars are small enough to carry around, making a person-sized derby car sure sounds like a fun idea. Probably for extra credit 

21st Century Math Projects on the fast track to practical equation solving! If during the course of reading this blog you have went to your cupboard to see if you have a nearly empty Pop-Tart box, raise your hands.

Xtranormal – Cool Free Web-based Software

Would you like to have students debate a problem, brainstorm a solution, or teach in a creative an interactive way? Xtranormal is a great option for letting students explore their creative side and verbalizing their understanding in a middle of high school project. There is a free version of the program on the web, but like many other services they have more elaborate pay options. I have found that the free version works fine in my class. Students email me the link to their presentations for me to watch them and I’ll pick a few of the best to watch in class.

Pixar, here we come! Okay, not really.

Students are able to select from a cadre of pre-made character, animate the movements with a simple interface and write the dialogue for the characters to speak. Their lips sync right to the words.
How would I use this in a math class? Very carefully. Obviously this isn’t necessarily the most rigorous project option, but it certain can be engaging. I’d be more likely to perhaps spend one day in a computer lab and assign it as homework for over a weekend. Students will not be crunching numbers, but if you create a strong rubric it can help a student with their verbal expression of the content and help build their vocabulary.

Pose them if you dare!

Obviously without mathematical relevancy, this could end up being one fun complete waste of time. Extending beyond the math classroom, you could perhaps find it as a more relevant tool in another subject area. I have used this in my technology elective. Also at times, I like students to conclude a math project with some sort of analysis presentation whether it be a PSA or a jury trial. This can just as easily be used for those conclusions. How I use class time with this is the careful issue. It is certainly something I’m more likely to ask students to do at home.

Nonetheless, check it out. Who knows? It might help you for your next grad school class presentation or department meeting! Or you can just pass it along to other teachers in your building!

Election -- Political Science Math Project

Romney vs. Obama vs. Colbert

And here we are by popular demand. My new readers have been pushing me to do something for the upcoming election and I have tried to fill their need with some mathematical goodness in the form of a new 21st Century Math Project. I wrote this project so that it'd fit equally well in a Middle School or High School classroom. Do it before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Name: The Election

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Algebra skills)

Math Concepts: Percents and Data Analysis

Interdisciplinary Connections: Politics, Social Studies, Election

Teaching Duration: 2-3 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $5 for a 18 Page PDF (1 project and handouts) 

PDF Version: Election @ TPT

The Product: Students will analyze an alternative method to selecting the President. Students may propose their own alternatives.

What's an Election?

Bring the 2012 Election into your classroom with a few authentic challenges that will push your students citizenship and build Election vocabulary across contents! It's so authentic Obama and Romney might throw down right in the middle of your classroom. Okay not really, but it's still cool!

Students will use the skills percents and data analysis to solve authentic election problems. I have found that students actually no very little about how the President is elected. Most think it's a popular vote. Some have an inkling that the Electoral College exists. For Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers this might be the first election that they've been old enough to know kinda what's going on. Fill a need of democratic citizenship and immerse them for a couple days in Election themed mathematics. In all, it is two different assignments --

-- "Battleground States" -- students will analyze tables and graphs of recent Presidential Election to understand the difference between "safe" states, "battleground" states and the differences in funding and campaign stops between them. Why exactly does Obama and Romney practically live in Ohio and Florida? Students will discover this for themselves.

-- "The Electoral College" -- students use a hypothetical Alternative Method to decide the President! Many take issue with the Electoral College so students will compare the actual results with the Alternative to see if there is any difference in who would have been President!

I listen to my peoples! If you want a 21st Century Math Project I will make you a 21st Century Math Project. Oh yeah... and go vote and stuff. 

Making the Band -- High School Math Project

Math, Math, Baby

After a couple years of teaching systems and linear equations, I knew I needed to add some 21st Century Math Project kick. Fortunately, systems are a topic that lends itself well toward practical application. Students will make choices that will affect the launch of their album. Layered with literacy practice, students will make choices within a budget that will affect the cost and revenue of their album. The project builds on itself. After a day of decisions, the next day those decisions may pay off...it depends on the linear equation.

Name: Making the Band

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Algebra I and Algebra II math skills)

Math Concepts: Creating & Using Linear Equations, Systems of Equations, Multiple Representations

Interdisciplinary Connections: Music, Business

Teaching Duration: 3-5 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $6 for a 12 Page PDF (1 project with 3 components) 

Making the Band @ TPT

The Product: A cost-revenue analysis and determination of a break-even point for a student-created mathematical album where the results can culminate in a class presentation. Performing their song is optional.

This is meant to be a blend of the reality television craze with systems of equations. I've never had a student not engaged in this project. Competition never has been higher. Students attempt to break-even with their record and become profitable in the least amount of time.

Students don't want choice! They want
to do exactly what I tell them to do!

This 21st Century Math Project might work as a Middle or High School math project depending on if you students have experience with modeling linear equations and solving basic systems. Here is the challenge math teachers… student choice and chance is at the fulcrum of this exercise so it is likely that no two students will have the same results. Thus, there is no answer key. The genesis of this project was from my childhood enjoyment from Choose Your Own Adventure Books.

In terms of structure, this assignment will likely be different than anything a student has done before. A teacher will likely need to be very clear with directions and possibly guide students through a hypothetical example before each part of the assignment.

Greeeaaat... another write a song assignment.
Oh wait, you want me to actually do math
and calculate stuff? Okay that might actually
help me on the ACT.

The assignment will start with students coming up with the name of a mathematical song and sketch an album cover (I give this as homework the night before). Based on the awesomeness, of their song name and album, you will give students different start-up costs. Awesome songs cost less to get started. Kind-a-sucky songs cost more.

In the “Financial Document”, students will then make a number of decisions based on descriptions and determine which are monthly and one-time start-up costs and with a little work they will have a linear cost equation.

In “Did They Pay Off”, get the dice ready because chance will play a role. Based on the decisions the day before, there is a revenue benefit but this varies greatly on luck. Wiser decisions will likely lead to higher revenues. Students will use this revenue equation to determine when they will break-even on their project.

This might push me to actually record
my album -- Math Swagg. Aight, that's
actually kinda dope. 

I have included an option “Change of Plans” assignment, because of course things don’t always turn out according to plan. Students will have a random multiplier applied to their slope and will rework their equations to find a new break-even point.

To conclude the project, I have done this differently. I have simply ended it after the assignment was complete and on another occasion I added a presentation component. Student definitely enjoyed presenting their information. If I were to do it again I would have small groups present to each other, nominate a top presenter and then have them present to the whole class. Presenting could also be offered as extra credit.

EXTENSION: Taking this another step could be to encourage your students to actually record the music (Audacity is great and free). Perhaps have a class album.  

21st Century Math Projects can be funky too. Extra funky. Many teachers have students write and perform math songs, and often this might be fun, but not very mathematically rigorous. Why not actually make them do some relevant math too?! 

Tiki-Toki Timelines – Cool Free Web-based Software

Want to hook up that teacher friend with a super awesome resource? Tiki-Toki just might be it. It is my goal that no child ever brings a posterboard with cutout printed Googled pictures to class again. Join me! For a history or English teacher Tiki-Toki Timelines might be perfect solution to your next high school project.

The Time is Now

Using this software, students are able to add events to a timeline that may span the Roman Empire or the Odyssey. Through adding media such as picture of video, students are able to bring their project to life in software that is fully interactive. This software is very easy for assessment. Students can simply email the link to their timeline and you can see it.

What made Alexander so Great?

How does this fit in the math classroom? If you are that teacher that has to do some history of math or that uber cool partly schizophrenic mathematician project – This might be perfect for you. Although I’m not exactly sure if that’s mathematically rigorous or real world relevant it’s so mathematically nerdy that if you can work it – work it.

Although its application might not be great in the math classroom, it could be great for a math department. If you map out yearly plans of units, assessments and all that good stuff, it might be a simple to use alternative for important dates and deadlines.

So check it out and be that cool “here’s an awesome resource idea” person in your building!

Calorie Cruncher -- Diet & Exercise Math Project

Hiking vs. Pizza Hut the epic showdown

Count the calories, make a fitness plan, watch weight, and practice linear inequalities in this fun and relevant 21st Century Math Project. Students will use authentic calorie data from common foods, popular fast food restaurants and also use calorie burning measurements for a variety of activities. In this middle or high school math project, students will look at meals and exercise in a completely different way as they help a cast of characters make dietary choices, plan meals and choose physical activities to remain fit.

Name: Calorie Cruncher

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (primarily Algebra 1 math skills)

Math Concepts: Creating and Solving Linear Inequalities

Interdisciplinary Connections: Nutrition, Exercise, Health, Physical Education

Teaching Duration: 3-5 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $5 for a 27 Page PDF (3 assignments, 1 project and Answer Key)

PDF Version: Calorie Cruncher @ TPT

The Product: Using the data provided in the assignment, students will create diet plans and fitness regiments tailored to the needs for five celebrities – all with very different demands.

I didn't know food gave you energy.

As a math teacher, I am use to seeing a wide range of clueless looks. The “kinda-clueless”, the “not sure if I’m clueless-clueless”, the “how did I get to school today clueless”, and on and on… If you really want to get some clueless looks visit the cafeteria and ask questions about their lunch. They can answer “What are you eating?” with great accuracy, but if you follow that up with “What are you really eating?” You get your first clueless look. Someone is bound to remember that the ingredients are on the label. May start to list them. Then you follow that up with a “What is bioforestationoxidefructoseacetaminefine? ( or whatever long scientific ingredient that you feel like pronouncing).  Not to pick on students, you’d get the same clueless look from adults. Heck, you’d get the same clueless look from me.

I hope McDonald's is in the common core.

Again, as is the case with most 21st Century Math Project  the challenge is choosing, appropriate and rigorous math content. When thinking about developing a project around this, I conceptualized it the same way one would think of a budget assignment. Money made, money spent. This thinking led me to developing this with inequalities. To build different skills relevant to inequalities I developed assignments where students are analyzing the choices of others, and then allow them the freedom to make choices themselves.

Although this could be a middle or high school math project (depending on the level of your students), I have grabbed a few appropriate common core standards from High School Algebra

-        --  Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, including equations with coefficients represented by letters.

-         -- Create equations and inequalities in one variable and use them to solve problems.

-         -- Represent constraints by equations or inequalities, and interpret solutions as viable or nonviable options in a modeling context.

You know I've got this overhead slide
with three types of inequality problems.
It's kinda dingy, I'll clean it and get it
over to ya.

The final project, creating diet and fitness plans for celebrities is an abstract application that needs some scaffolding. Thus I have included three assignments leading up to it that will help understand the task.

“Fast Food Calorie Count” – Using menus of Fast Food restaurants, students will help five people write inequalities to determine if their lunch is within their daily caloric limit, but the catch is they only eat a steady diet of fast food.

In this assignment, students will understand how many calories people consume and how it rarely fits into a plan that is watching their diet.

“Fitness Guru” – Using data of physical activity, students help five people write inequalities to determine if they will burn enough calories to reach their personal fitness goals.

In this assignment, students will see how much work it takes to burn calories. Most people operate under a misconception of how much exercise they need to maintain weight.

“Weight Watchers” – Using both sets of data, students will help five people write inequalities to determine if they will burn enough calories to reach their weight loss or weight gain goals.

In this assignment, students try to find the balance between diet and exercise to hit goals.

Certainly weight can be a touchy issue with young people on both ends of the spectrum. I’ve intentional written assignments and characters to subliminally go against stereotypes and keep the task focused on the math. 

EXTENSION: An easy extension would be for students to keep their own food journal and exercise log over a course of a week.  

Combat obesity and laziness with 21st Century Math Projects!