PBL Pathways
Lake Pollution
Explain the timing of a lake cleanup to the EPA using calculus. A project-based learning opportunity has learners compare rate functions to compute a total change. Their solutions explain the time needed to rid a lake of pollutants.
Curated OER
Discovering Math: Computation
Middle schoolers add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers. They find the square and the cube of numbers. They create a game incorporating computation on rational numbers. Everyone works together to write and evaluate...
Curated OER
Snake in the Grass: Capture/Recapture Activity
Learners estimate the total number of species in Ecuador using the capture/recapture method. They collect data about each species and act as members of a science expedition to determine the total number of species by using mathematical...
Curated OER
Measuring the Earth (Eratoshenes' method)
Sixth graders engage in problem solving, communicating, reasoning, and connecting to represent and solve problems, using geometric models.
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A Polynomial Quilt
Tenth graders create polynomial quilts. In this polynomials lesson, 10th graders use concrete models, such as construction paper, to create various shapes described. Students use the FOIL method to multiply terms and to get a square...
Curated OER
Rockets: Kinematics or Energy?
Students construct model rockets, measure and record the height of the launch. In this creative lesson students use different methods to calculate velocity and height data from their launched rockets.
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Module 12-Self-Employment Income and the Self-Employment Tax
Learners explain self-employment income and the self-employment tax. They distinguish between an employee and an independent contractor and explain how to compute and report self-employment profit.
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Perimeter Playground
Young scholars explore geometry by participating in a school measuring activity. In this perimeter lesson, students discuss the techniques and methods used in order to measure a large perimeter or geometric figure. Young scholars utilize...
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Triangle Explorer
Students compute the area of triangles in a computer program. In this measurement lesson plan, students complete 5 easy, 5 medium, and 5 hard problems.
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When Life Serves You Lemons!
Learners build their own lemonade stand. In this problem solving lesson plan, students measure the materials needed to build a stand and make lemonade. They find the cost of producing the lemonade and the profit they will make.
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Dividing by 4's
Third graders explore math functions by completing problem solving activities. In this division instructional activity, 3rd graders utilize the division strategies acquired earlier to divide multiple digit numbers by 4's. Students...
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Subtracting Fractions - Unequal Denominators
Subtracting fractions that have unequal denominators is a tricky process. The lesson utilizes fraction bars as a manipulative, in order to understand subtracting fractions and estimating differences. After completing three activities in...
California Academy of Science
Building Better Buses: Transportation Design Challenges
Scholars learn about a series of three challenges when they design a bus system for a small town. They determine the bus routes and then figure out the best type of fuel to use before considering the cost of going electric. Learners...
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Task: Miniature Golf
"Fore!" All right, no one really yells this out in miniature golf, but this well-defined activity will have your charges using lots of numbers in their unique design of a miniature golf hole. Included in the activity criteria is the...
Curated OER
Access Ramp
Just about every public building that your students are familiar with has an access ramp which complies with ADA requirements. As it turns out, designing such a ramp is an excellent activity to incorporate slope, the Pythagorean Theorem,...
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Interesting Integers and Exciting Equations
An 80-page resource provides four lessons and all associated worksheets to teach middle schoolers about expressions and equations. The lessons are hands-on, using games, "integer chips," a balance and cubes, and cut and paste activities....
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Fences
Pupils design a fence for a backyard pool. Scholars develop a fence design based on given constraints, determine the amount of material they need, and calculate the cost of the project.
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Cutting Corners - Parts 1 and 2
Students use optimization concepts to design their own container. In this optimization lesson plan, students understand how the optimization concept is critical in calculus and why products are packaged the way they are.
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Stairway
It's the stairway to learning! Scholars research all aspects of building a staircase. Using information from building codes, they write and graph a system of inequalities to analyze the constraints. The completed project is a scale model...
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Framing a House
If members of your class wonder where they can use the math they learn in middle school, let them discover the answer. Learners apply geometry concepts of scale and measure to calculate the costs of framing a house addition.
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Manipulating Sound
Students use music software to create and refine a musical composition. They use music software to create a sequence of musical phrases. Students use music software to create and refine a musical composition and adapt it in the light...
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Gazebo Construction
Students create and give oral proposals for the construction of a gazebo using a blueprint created with Geometer's Sketchpad. They then build a gazebo model using the blueprints created and provide evidence why it should be selected for...
Curated OER
Recycling
Students relate recycling to waste reduction. In this science lesson, students talk about the environment and how recycling certain natural resources actually saves on energy. They also discuss what type of recycling causes...
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Food For Keeps
Students explore food. In this processed and fresh foods instructional activity, students discover how some foods are processed and how they differ from fresh food. The complete group activities and an individual reading assignment. This...