You mean the square root of five and five don't have the same value? Learners estimate the value of irrational roots. As they practice estimating the value, they increase their understanding of roots. The lesson is the fourth in a series...

You can't evaluate an irrational root expression without a calculator—or can you? Scholars estimate the value of roots within an expression to approximate the value of the expression. Expressions include a mix of square roots and whole...

What an impressive task it is to make dental impressions! Pupils learn how dentists use proportional reasoning, unit conversions, and systems of equations to estimate the materials needed to make stone models of dental impressions....

There's just something special about lines in algebra. Introduce your classes to linear equations by analyzing the linear relationship. Young mathematicians use input/output pairs to determine the slope and the slope-intercept formula to...

Fold, fold, and fold some more. In the first installment of a 35-part module, young mathematicians fold a piece of paper in half until it can not be folded any more. They use the results of this activity to develop functions for the area...

How do you know if a number is divisible? Instructors first prove the divisibility rules for three and four and then class members use this modeling to prove given divisibility rules for eight and nine either individually or in...

Assemble a great lesson on assembly lines. In the first installment of a nine-part technology/engineering series, future entrepreneurs learn about the manufacturing process, specifically about the assembly line and cycle time. The lesson...

When told to describe a line, do your pupils list its color, length, and which side is high or low? Use a worksheet that engages scholars to properly label line graphs. It then requests two applied reasoning answers.

Rescue animals in the zoo by applying math concepts. Groups of learners solve three missions involving oxygen, food, and climate control. Each group selects an animal from one of four bio-domes.

Scholars find a pattern from a geometric sequence and write the formula for extending it. The worksheet includes a table to complete plus four analysis questions. It concludes with instructional implications for the teacher.

Prompt scholars to complete a magic square using only variables. Then they can attempt to solve a numerical magic square using algebra. 

Not all linear functions are linear transformations — show your class the difference. The first lesson in a unit on linear transformations and complex numbers that spans 32 segments introduces the concept of linear transformations and...

Sew up your unit on operations with decimals using this assessment task. Young mathematicians use given rules to determine the amount of fabric they need to sew a pair of pants. They must also fill in a partially complete bill for...

It's all about lines when going around. Pupils graph the relationship between the length of a side of a square and its perimeter. Class members explain the origin in context of the side length and perimeter. They compare the graph to the...

Young oceanographers research deep sea corals that thrive on chemosynthesis. The lesson focuses on the biology of the animal, preferred habitat, associations, and interactions.

You never know what you will find next in the deep sea ecosystem. So far, scientists have found items that work as anti-tumor agents, anti-inflammatory agents, agents that stop uncontrolled cell division, and much more. The lesson plan...

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill directly impacted an area of the Gulf of Mexico the size of Oklahoma. A marine biology activity looks at the impact of an oil spill on the deeper parts of the ocean. Scholars download actual data collected...

How many points are needed to define a unique parabola? Individuals work with data to answer this question. Ultimately, they determine the quadratic model when given three points. The concept is applied to data from a dropped...

Many have debated which came first, the chicken or the egg, but this lesson plan debates which came first, the hydrocarbons or the carbonate reef. After a discussion on deep-sea corals, scholars receive a set of questions to research and...

When judging diversity of an ecosystem, both species evenness and species richness must contribute. After a discussion of diversity and a guided example using the Shannon-Weaver function, scholars use the same function on two other...

Photosynthesis was discovered in the 1770s, but chemosynthesis wasn't discovered until 1977. While many have performed an experiment to show how photosynthesis works, the activity allows pupils to observe chemosynthesis. Scholars set up...

How can a robot measure the length of something when we don't know how far the camera is from the object? The lesson explains the concept of perspective and many others. Scholars apply this knowledge to judge the length of fish and the...

Discover how mathematics can be useful in comparing strategies. Scholars develop probability distributions for situations and calculate expected value. They use their results to identify the best strategy for the situation.

Exponentially increase your pupils' understanding of exponents with an activity that asks them to explore the meaning of exponential notation. Scholars learn how to use exponential notation and understand its necessity. They use negative...