Virginia Department of Education
Arc Length and Area of a Sector
What do skateboarding and baked goods have in common with math? You can use them to connect half-pipe ramps and cakes to arcs and sectors. Pupils compare the lengths of three different ramp options of a skate park. They calculate the...
Curated OER
Get a Half Life!: Student Worksheet
Upper elementary or middle schoolers will explore non-linear functions, graphing, and the curve of best fit through real-life data collection and trial analysis. They explore the concept of half-life and radioactive decay using M&Ms,...
Curated OER
Vernier EasyData App
Used along with data collection devices, the EasyData Application for the TI-83 Plus/TI-84 calculator allows learners to use real data to learn math and science. Statistics, curve fits, and integrals are used to analyze the...
Baylor College
Your Energy Needs (BMR)
How many Calories one needs on a daily basis is dependent on a number of factors including gender, height, and activity level. In the third of seven lessons about energy and food, young nutritionists calculate the number of Calories...
University of Colorado
Modeling Sizes of Planets
The density of the huge planet of Saturn is 0.7 g/cm3, which means it could float in water! In the second part of 22, science pupils explore the size and order of the planets. They then calculate weight and/or gravity and density of...
Kenan Fellows
Weight and Balance of an Airplane
A career in aeronautics might be calling your class members. Building from the previous two lessons in the series, learners continue analyzing the mathematics of aeronautics. Groups create a paper airplane using paperclips for balance....
Polar Trec
Down to the Deep Virtual Lab
At a depth of 3,000 m in the ocean, the pressure is 300 times that at sea level! In the activity, individuals predict what will happen to Styrofoam cups submerged 3,000 meters into the ocean. They then convert these units to soccer...
Virginia Department of Education
Normal Distributions
Pupils work to find probabilities by using areas under the normal curve. Groups work to calculate z-scores and solve real-world problems using the empirical rule or tables.
Curated OER
Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
For use with a TI-nspire calculator, this instructional activity focuses on adding and subtracting polynomials. Learners use calculator to add and subtract polynomials using both the vertical method horizontal methods. A class discussion...
EngageNY
Sampling Variability
Work it out — find the average time clients spend at a gym. Pupils use a table of random digits to collect a sample of times fitness buffs are working out. The scholars use their random sample to calculate an estimate of the mean of the...
Curated OER
Function Graphing--ID: 8252
Those graphing calculators can be tricky; good thing Texas Instruments has devised a lesson on how to use their TI-Nspire calculator to graph functions. Kids investigate functional notation as they graph ordered pairs in the form (a,...
Texas Instruments
Finding Linear Models Part III
Explore linear functions! In this Algebra I lesson, mathematicians graph data in a scatter plot and use a graphing calculator to find a linear regression and/or a median-median line. They use the model to make predictions.
Curated OER
Family Letter
Middle schoolers, working with their parents, calculate and complete five word problems associated with multiplying and dividing decimals. Students research the current Federal minimum wage at the library or on the Internet.
Curated OER
Systems of Linear Equations
Introduce the inverse matrix method to solve systems of linear equations both algebraically and graphically. Using given data, your class checks their answers with graphing calculators. Handouts are included in this well-thought out...
Virginia Department of Education
Exploring Statistics
Collect and analyze data to find out something interesting about classmates. Groups devise a statistical question and collect data from their group members. Individuals then create a display of their data and calculate descriptive...
Virginia Department of Education
Algebra Tiles and Solving Equations
Young mathematicians solve linear equations by drawing models of algebra tiles using colored pencils. To finish, they solve the same equations algebraically and check their answers using a graphing calculator.
Teach Engineering
Scale Model Project
Try your hand at scale models. Scholars create a scale model of an object using a scale factor of their choice. As part of the project, they give presentations on their processes and calculations. This is the last installment of the...
Curated OER
Shaquille O'Neal Hand/Foot Span: Student Worksheet
Here's a clever math worksheet that has learners measure their hand span, foot length, come up with a ration, then use that information to figure out the hand span, and foot length of basketball giant Shaquille O'Neal. A good activity!
Curated OER
Deal or No Deal?
Using a game format, learners engage in an activity called Deal or No Deal. Taking real life scenarios involving items for sale, such as cereal boxes three for $5.00, they determine whether an example is a deal or not. This activity...
Colorado State University
If You Can't Predict the Weather, How Can You Predict the Climate?
Why is the weather man wrong so often? Young climatologists discover how chaos rules both weather and climate through a math-based activity. Using an iterative equation, the class examines how small day-to-day weather events total up to...
Curated OER
Geometry and Measurement
Young geometers explore relationships between units of measure and objects. Three activities provide varied opportunities to practice. Learners calculate the volume of two cylinders made by rolling a piece of paper vertically and...
Teach Engineering
Just Plane Simple
It is plane to see that simple machines help reduce the force needed to perform a task. This resource introduces three of the simple machines--the inclined plane, the wedge, and the screw, and the formulas in order to be able...
Curated OER
Swinging Pendulum
Learners engage in an activity which demonstrates how potential energy (PE) can be converted to kinetic energy (KE) and back again. Given a pendulum height, students calculate and predict how fast the pendulum will swing by understanding...
Curated OER
Measure for Measure
Young mathematicians work to recognize the relationship between their scale models of the Joides research vessel and the real vessel. They calculate the relationships between various parts of the ship using fractions, ratios, and...