Exposing Algebra Students to Inspiring Mathematics Stacey Reynolds ColoMATYC Spring 2013.
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Transcript of Exposing Algebra Students to Inspiring Mathematics Stacey Reynolds ColoMATYC Spring 2013.
![Page 1: Exposing Algebra Students to Inspiring Mathematics Stacey Reynolds ColoMATYC Spring 2013.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022062713/56649f4f5503460f94c71edc/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Exposing Algebra Students to Inspiring Mathematics
Stacey Reynolds
ColoMATYC Spring 2013
![Page 2: Exposing Algebra Students to Inspiring Mathematics Stacey Reynolds ColoMATYC Spring 2013.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022062713/56649f4f5503460f94c71edc/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
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!
![Page 3: Exposing Algebra Students to Inspiring Mathematics Stacey Reynolds ColoMATYC Spring 2013.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022062713/56649f4f5503460f94c71edc/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
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?
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Survey
What did my students think about the project once the project had been completed?
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Survey Results
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Survey Results
The positive:
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Survey Results
The negative:– 16 students wrote “nothing” was negative about
the project
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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!