Zombie Apocalypse -- Life Saving STEM Project / Safety Plan

It's inevitable. One day Zombies will take over Earth. If you are not preparing your students, you are being irresponsible. If you want to turn your "dead" exponential and logarithm unit into an "undead" one, this 21st Century Math Project might work for you.

Forget the bird flu, are you prepared for this?

Name: Zombie Apocalypse

Suggested Grade Level: 9-12 (Algebra 2 skills)

Math Concepts: Exponential Functions, Logarithmic Functions, Modeling, Predicting, Inverses

Interdisciplinary Connections: Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse, Report Writing

Teaching Duration: 1-2 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $6 for a 18 Page PDF (3 assignment and answer keys) 

PDF Version: Zombie Apocalypse @ TPT

The Product: Students will use data from the assignment to formulate an Action Plan for the United Nations Center for Disease Control.

Turn your Algebra 2 or Pre-Calculus into a forum for United Nations research and development. Specifically focusing on exponential and logarithmic functions, students will be given the notes of a renown scientist who herself has become a zombie. They must make sense of the notes before they too succumb to

Sweet. I'll start digging my shelter now.

the virus. Students will practice evaluating, modeling, analyzing and inverting these functions.

Lets not kid ourselves, there's about 12 different Zombie TV shows on right now. Someone must be watching them. I'm not a Zombie-junky myself, but I think it's a nice way to model some exponential functions.

In this 18 page document you will be given a mapping to the Content Standards, an outline for how to implement the project, handout resources for students to use, and an answer key. In all it is three different assignments --

-- "Zombie Apocalypse" will have students (or teams) answer the exponential function and logarithm questions and develop mathematical models and make predictions. Using regression functions on TI-Graphing Calculators or Excel is necessary. This

And everyone thought I was a zombie, ha!

should take approximately 1 class period. Along the way they will explore inverse exponential and logarithmic functions

-- “Outbreak”. In this task, half of your class will turn into zombies while the other have tries to cure them... or else they will become Zombies too.

-- “Z-Day”. Asks students to use exponential decay models to determine when the Zombie population is controlled.

Okay... Zombies aren't really my thing,
but I can see how this might apply to
other Earth-threatening Epidemics

Students (or teams) will create a report to the United Nations in which they design an Action Plan, Procedures for an Antidote and Suggestions for future safeguards.

EXTENSIONS:
As far as authentic math extensions could go, perhaps students can look at student attendance data around flu season (or exam season) and see if there's any exponential growth there :-)

CSI: Algebra 2 / Pre-Calculus is Complete!!

And approved by Ben Franklin!

Nearly completing the high school curriculum, CSI Algebra 2 / PreCalculus is underway and will be complete by mid-July! 

Of course each unit can be purchased separately or you could save some cash and buy the whole eBook when it is finally available! 

For those unfamiliar with my CSI puzzles, I take a unit of math material, select a different world region and create a fictional crime spree with clues (aligned to the Common Core, hurray!)

When it is all together, here's what you will find. 

EDIT: (IT'S DONE! Here's a link to the new CSI: Algebra 2 / PreCalculus eBook)

Unit 1: Matrices (Washington, DC)  
Unit 2: Families of Functions (West Africa)
Unit 3: Radical Functions (Pacific Northwest)
Unit 4: Polynomial Functions (UAE)
Unit 5: Rational Functions (Central America)
Unit 6: Exponential & Logarithmic Functions (East Asia)
Unit 7: Advanced Trigonometry (Greece)
Unit 8: Conic Sections (Russia)
Unit 9: Series (New York City) 

Math it Up.

Correlation All-Star -- Integrated Sports Project

Bring an authentic sports-based 21st Century Math Project  to your Algebra, Algebra 2 or PreCalculus classroom with Lines of Best Fit and Correlations! In my opinion, correlations are the most under taught skill in all of high school math! I mean for a student to function in the real world, tell my 5 topics that are more important. Do it! 

Stop watching March Madness on your phone and join the pros

Name: Correlation All-Star

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Algebra 1, Algebra 2, PreCalculus skills)

Math Concepts: Scatterplots, Lines of Best Fit, Correlations

Interdisciplinary Connections: Sports and Finance

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

Cost: $6 for a 42 Page PDF (1 project, 3 assignment and handouts) 

PDF Version: Correlation All-Star @ TPT

The Product: Students do an in depth statistical analysis around the research question: "Can Money Buy Championships?"

Come over here and let me tell you
about when I saw Ralph Kiner score
the winning touchdown to win the
Stanley Cup!

Sports always seems to me to every math teachers go to engaging word problem. If it can be done with sports in it, then they'll like it. I always had a strange perspective on this because I loved sports -- but I knew who many of the people in my classes didn't. I always wondered how they felt during those problems. 

What's a football?

So here we are my largest foray into an authentic sports project. I've tried to write this in such a way that it can be super engaging for young sports fans (and old teacher sports fans!), but the problems are rigorous enough that the math takes precedent. This unit is really meant to be taught with TI-Graphing Calculators or in a Computer Lab with Microsoft Excel so if a student isn't into the yucky sports stuff, then they can grab onto an engaging technology (Graphing Calculator Instruction are included!)

Depending on when you teach lines of best fit, this fits! It could work as an advanced Algebra 1 project (I love teaching regression in Algebra 1) or a warm-up project for Pre-Calculus. Wherever correlation coefficient belongs in your curriculum -- this can go there!
Using data from the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL students investigate correlations to some of sports most common questions like:

"Do more shots result in more goals?"
"Do hitters or pitchers have more impact on a team's wins?"
"What NFL stat is most strongly correlated with wins?"

and the grand-daddy...

"Can money buy championships?"


Those of you who work in small-markets, maybe a little surprised by the results. The assignments in this project, breakdown like this:

Hmm... could I use this type of math
when I'm doing research for my capstone
project? Oh great question, most definitely!

- In “He Shoots, He Scores!!!” students will construct scatterplots and draw lines of best fit. While using NHL shot and goal data.

- In “Offense or Defense” students will use TI Graphing Calculates to create scatterplots and determine lines of best fit and correlation coefficients using Runs Scored and Runs Allowed MLB data.

- In “Gridiron Challenge” students will look at NFL data to determine which statistics has the strongest correlation with winning.

-- AND FINALLY in “Can Money Buy Championships?” students will look at data from the four major American sports leagues to answer this inquiry question.

EXTENSION: You could encourage students to seek out their own data and figure out a correlation for themselves! You can open it up to the rest of the world of statistics -- poverty vs. education of women, ACT results vs. college GPA -- anything!

It seems around every corner there's a new STEM school popping up and 21st Century Math Projects can help! If this is interesting I've also integrated projects for an Egg Drop, Box Car Derby and Solar Oven. 

Wolfram Alpha -- Cool Website Spotlight

There's no better example of a  21st Century Math Project than an awesome site, the mathematically famous Wolfram Alpha. Yes, sure Wolfram Alpha will do your class’s homework for them, but the reality is that that only emphasizes the need for higher order thinking. Computers can solve linear equations, but as of today they still struggle with word problem and application. One day. One day.

Until then the human brain has value!

On its way to growing a real brain!

Well okay, not really. When I decide to create a new middle or high school project, Wolfram Alpha is one of my first stops. In particular when I’m attempting to use global data, I’m able to compare countries very quickly. This is particularly helpful when trying to find interesting mathematical problems and it turns into my own personal inquiry project. For instance if I’m trying to build an assign around GDP and exponential functions, if I choose two countries that do not intersect, it makes for a less mathematically interesting exercise. Of course using one problem built around this case, is worthwhile, but if I built the entire assignment where nothing intersects, it’s weird and useless.

Using Wolfram Alpha in cooperation with one of many Online Regression calculators helps rounds ideas into more precise problems.

There is a pay subscription that would make using this tool infinitely more useful, but I have yet to use it. For anyone with a familiar with vector graphics (like the open source Inkscape; more on this in another post) there is a way to get vector exports of graphs on Wolfram Alpha. In order to make it more usuable in an assignment, you may need to tweak the graphic so using a vector program works well.

Nonetheless, Wolfram Alpha is super duper at helping with answer keys!

If you aren’t using Wolfram Alpha, check it out! 

Area Dissection Art -- Integrated Math Project

Robots invade your Math Project!!!

Here is a great, fun opportunity to hone middle and high school area skills through dissection problems. Area dissection involves more critical thinking skills than a typical area problem, especially when you make them complex. Art is a natural extension of this and it makes it super fun. 

Name: Area Dissection Art

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Primarily Geometry math skills, but project can be modified for different levels)

Math Concepts: Solving Area for Different Shapes, Measurement & Basic Operations

Interdisciplinary Connections: Visual Art

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

Cost: $5 for a 10 Page PDF (3 assignments, 1 project and Answer Key) 

PDF Version: Area Dissection Art @ TPT

The Product: A art collage constructed out of geometric shapes covering a total area of approximate 100 cm²

Hey I have this really cool, new idea
where I have students trace cans...
they're different sizes... and that's about it.

This 21st Century Math Project might find its way into a Middle or High School classroom depending on the skills and abilities of your young people. Of course I did not invent the idea of a geometric art project, but I built a set of lessons around a more mathematically rigorous topic of area dissection. I found that these questions often snuck onto state tests, but is rarely taught.

If you Google search for Area Dissection assignment, the pickings are slim. I found that my students often needed more practice with are problems in high school, but I can wrap my head around solve A=lw with a high schooler so I built everything around area dissection to increase the rigor. Same practice, more thinking. If you are interested in spending 2 weeks teaching area dissection, this unit is a great starting place for you. 

Your students are drawing zombies.
Is there a zombie indicator in the
common core?

Included alongside the project for the Art Project there are a series of increasingly challenging area dissection problems. From simple two shape dissections, to artistic dissection that I have drawn, including one students actually have to measure to find lengths (another thing that my students need a lot of practice with). These assignments hammer home the math skills essential for the project and can be used as standalone activities.

While you’ll find many of the common core standards focused on at the 6-8 grade level, this is still a skill I have seen frequently on high school standardized test. Solving for area is also certainly a skill that is seen on the ACT and SAT in more complex forms.

Mathematics >> Grade 7 >> Geometry

·        Draw construct, and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them.

·         Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures, including computing actual lengths and areas from a scale drawing and reproducing a scale drawing at a different scale.

·         Draw (freehand, with ruler and protractor, and with technology) geometric shapes with given conditions. Focus on constructing triangles from three measures of angles or sides, noticing when the conditions determine a unique triangle, more than one triangle, or no triangle.

Do you mean, I'm allowed to be creative?

·         Know the formulas for the area and circumference of a circle and use them to solve problems; give an informal derivation of the relationship between the circumference and area of a circle.

High School Geometry >> Modeling

• Apply geometric methods to solve design problems

With this project, creativity will shine through and it will be something your students really enjoy. I generally award a prize for the student that can be the closest to 100 cm², which is quite a challenge when requiring them to use circles.

EXTENSION: What more can you do with this project? Perhaps you partner up with a teacher in another district or country and arrange an art exchange. If you both use the same assignment, comparing and contrasting the art can be worthwhile.  

So yes, 21st Century Math Projects can get artsy!

World Traveler -- International Project

Until everyone uses Paypal, we have no other option

Who doesn't want to take a grand voyage around the world? Take your class on a trip with functions. While the Middle School & High School Math Project is mathematically driven, it gives students the opportunity to learn a little about other countries of the world. 

Name: World Traveler

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Primarily Pre-Algebra & Algebra math skills)

Math Concepts: Creating, Defining & Using Functions, Inverse Functions

Interdisciplinary Connections: Currency Conversion, Travel, Social Studies

Teaching Duration: 2-3 Days 

Cost: $5 for a 13 Page PDF (1 assignment, 1 project and Answer Key) 

Interactive & Customizable Version: World Traveler Math Project @ NextLesson.org

PDF Version: World Traveler @ TPT

The Product: Students will take a simulated dream vacation in which they have to keep track of their money and convert to multiple currencies

I'm willing to trade my pet goat for
a stronger allergy prescription.

In this 21st Century Math Project  international travel and currency conversion provide the hook to teach defining basic functions and finding inverses. Using exchange rates, students will practice converting into currencies they may never have heard of before.

This project would fit nicely into a Middle School Pre-Algebra class, an Algebra 1 class learning functions, or an Algebra 2 class reviewing inverses.

I created a prep assignment before the big trip. I found that asking my students to do the dream trip without any practice or frame of reference was difficult to do. The prep assignment "Money Changers" allows students and teachers to develop a basic familiarity with how exchange rate mathematics work.

What's a Brazil?

This leads up to the "World Traveler" assignment that takes students through Great Britain, United Arab Emirates, South Korea and Brazil. In terms of global awareness, American students lag behind. This assignment exposes students to a few different parts of the world that they are less familiar. While it is primarily on the surface level, I have tailored the experiences in each country to the attractions and culture they are famous for.

I have found that most students are naturally curious about traveling, and some are interested in culture. This likely depends on your kids. You will certainly have a wide range. Some may never have realized you had to convert currency where others are frequent travelers.

Do you think perhaps we can create
a larger simulation?

EXTENSION: An idea that I've toyed with, but not yet attempted is to create a World's Fair Simulation. I imagine having students set up "booths" representing a stand in another country. There would be Buyers and Sellers. The Buyers have to go shopping and keep track of their money. The Sellers try to make the most money they can.

The idea though is still in its infancy, but it's one that I'm thinking about adding to the project at some point after it develops.

So this is the second addition to the 21st Century Math Project blog post family. Boomdiggy.