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| These projects were written by Mr. Byer for 8th grade mathematics' classes. All application projects should, and are graded using a rubric. Each student receives the scoring rubric prior to beginning the project. Although some of the projects in their entirety are presently unavailable at Virtual Math, the underlying concept is presented to serve as a summary to others. As more projects get written their underlying concepts will become available at Virtual Math. Hopefully, in the future, these projects as well as their rubrics will be made available for download for others to use. But for now, I hope that these summaries will spark the ingenuity of math teachers and students everywhere. If you have an idea for a project that you would like written to conform to present standards and an accompanying rubric, please e-mail Mr. Byer. |
Real World Math
Math & Economics
Math & Science
Math & Business
Math & Technology
Math & History
Real World Math: This is an introductory project for students to realize and begin to appreciate the pervasive use of mathematics in the real world. Students are asked to interview a family member or friend and find out how mathematics is used at their place of employment. Students report this information back to the class via any medium they choose.
Math and Economics: This is a ten week in-class project that will allow the student to create and manage a portfolio of stocks. The student will be responsible for all decisions regarding their portfolio, as well as the accounting. The student will maintain a folder that contains all the materials for the project. Each week the student will submit a financial report for a grade. At the end of the ten weeks the student will have liquidated their entire portfolio. A final report will then be completed. This is a discovery project to be done collaboratively with the physical science teacher. Students will use their laboratory skills in conjunction with their mathematical knowledge, specifically analytical geometry, to more fully understand the relationship between mass, volume, and density. They will "see" the relationships via a student generated graph as well as determine their substance' density. Students will be able to identify their substance by using a list of known densities. They will also be able to compare the graphs of substances with different densities. Students will use their analytical geometry skills to learn about starting a new business. Students will generate algebraic and graphical models of expenses and income. They will investigate the graphs to determine their break-even point. Students will also discuss how changing certain values will affect the break-even point. This project results in a letter to potential investors. In the letter students include their graphs and explanations in an attempt to persuade the reader to invest in the venture. MetaMorph Inc. JAVA the Hut.
Math and Technology:
Students are to try to design a "box" to package 4 soccer balls. The need to minimize the cost
by minimizing the surface area. Students are asked to submit 3 proposals to the company for approval,
with design and cost estimates for each. They are to discuss in a report the pros and cons of each design.
They are also responsible for scale drawings of each proposal. They will use thier CAD experience from technology class to not only
make the scale drawings, but to check their surface area calculations and cost estimates.
Package
Math and History:
Students work in groups to investigate the mathematics of ancient civilizations. Research is done on the internet and in the library. Student groups are responsible for a presentation for the rest of the class.
Ancient Civ.
| "Life is good for only two things, discovering mathematics and teaching
mathematics." |
