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Webquest
When
am I
ever going to
use Math?
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Architecture |
Art |
Technology |
Mathematics is
involved in almost everything we see and do.
Can You See Any
Mathematics In These Pictures?
Introduction
As a
mathematics teacher, one of the most commonly asked questions by senior
high students has been, "When am I ever going to have to use this
stuff?" Unlike reading a history or literature assignment where
what's read can immediately affect your attitudes and actions,
mathematics must be built upon for many years before it can be used as a
tool for understanding and real applications. Because it doesn't provide
students much in the way of immediate results, many students turn off to
mathematics. This exercise is intended to help answer this question for
senior high students and to be both motivational and instructive
historically, technologically, and perhaps mathematically
We will be
exploring:
- Biographical
essays
- Mathematical
applications in the real world
- Career
opportunities
- Educational
requirements to meet your goals
The
Task
Review the list of activities below and the list of resources provided. Write down any ideas or questions that you may want to research.
Search the resource section labeled, "History." Read 3 biographies of famous mathematicians. Choose one from the ancient world, one from the Renaissance, and one from the 17th to the 20th Century. Write short paper ( 1 to 2 pages typed) on each one. Include what they accomplished and what practical applications came from their work.
Pick one of your biographies to give as a 3-minute presentation to the class. Stress their motives, successes, and failures in the study of mathematics.
Search the resource section labeled, "Careers." Read 3 biographies of contemporary women and 3 biographies of contemporary men who use mathematics every day. Write a short paper ( 1 to 2 pages typed) on what you admire about these people and how mathematics contributed to their lives.
Search the Department of Education "statistics" section and turn in a list of the top ten employment positions in demand for college graduates. Which ones will require more than basic math?
Go to one of the university home pages and list the mathematics requirements for your intended major or pick a major in which you might be interested. Use The Occupational Outlook Handbook and include the expected job availability and expected income in your major field
.
Search the "applications" section (in groups) with each member of the group looking at 3 or 4 sources. Find different ways that mathematics is used in Art, Science, Architecture, and Technology. Each group will present a short paper (1 to 2 pages typed) on one of these areas and share with the class.
Participate in a discussion at the conclusion of this project about what you learned and be prepared to share your goals and what mathematics will mean to you in the future.
The
Process and
Evaluation
Three to four class periods will be allotted to do your research, but after-class time will be necessary to complete your writing assignments.
One or two class periods will be allotted for group work and preparation for the concluding discussion. This discussion will include your
personal goals and the role mathematics will play in achieving them. we will also discuss how the various resources that were provided helped you in completing this assignment.
A Rubric for evaluating the written work and
oral presentations has been provided.
Your grade will be based on the following:
20% ---3 biographies of mathematicians (3 papers)
20% ---3 biographies of contemporary women (1 paper)
20% ---3 biographies of contemporary men (1 paper)
10% ---oral presentation (a mathematician)
10% ---job search (1 paper)
10% ---group paper on mathematics applications in Art, Science, Architecture, and Technology (1 paper)
10% ---participation grade
Grading Scale:
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
below 60% F
Conclusion
When will we ever have to use this stuff? Hopefully by looking at the biographies of historical and contemporary people, by looking at the many ways mathematics is used, and by examining your own goals, you now have an answer.
Hopefully, you have learned that mathematics is more than calculating. It is history, personality, discovery, world view, and helps meet man's innate curiosity about the physical world. New discoveries also continue to ask the age-old questions of: Who are we? Where did we come from? and Where are we going?
If this WebQuest has given you an interest in history, careers, or exciting applications of mathematics in technology, you may return to it at any time and submit work for extra credit with the approval of the teacher.
Resources
for the
WebQuest
History
Ask
Dr. Math - Math History
WWWVL
History of Science - Biographical Sources
MacHistory
of Mathematic
History
of Mathematics
Careers
Career
in Mathematics
Profiles
of Women in Mathematics
Why
Study Math - University of Montana
Dr.
Math - Why Study Math
Department
of Education
ASU
West
Applications
The
Geometry of War
FermiLab
National Accelerator Laboratory
Los
Alamos Education Page
Practical
Uses of Math and Science Home Page
Notes
to the
Teacher
The WebQuest includes those elements
of good teaching as would any other good lesson, but the speed and
accessibility of resources make it a powerful tool for spring boarding
to important and relevant topics for students. At the same time
research, reading and writing and technology skills are all improved.
Students are called upon to think
critically and organize new information in meaningful ways. Because the
technology is fast and efficient, the learner is involved more than ever
before, and the access to on-line scientists, world-wide organizations
and on-line projects is without end. Students can compare and contrast
opposing views, produce results, be tied to other learners and access
multimedia resources faster than ever before.
Links
Mathematics
Archives History of Mathematics
The Math Forum
Internet Mathematics Library
Yahoo
Science Mathematics Education
Math
WWWVL Education
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