Introduction - Read This First!
There is a LOT of math that we don’t get to cover in the high school curriculum, and it’s REALLY COOL. I want you to have the opportunity to see what’s out there and find something to be awed by.
Math is really just about thinking logically, solving problems, and finding some beautiful connections between ideas.
So look over your options and pick one to pursue to continue to grow your mind! Each section is set up with an "Explore" section and a "Do" section. Look around at the information in the "Explore" section then follow the instructions in the "Do" section.
Your response will be graded according to the following criteria:
Math is really just about thinking logically, solving problems, and finding some beautiful connections between ideas.
So look over your options and pick one to pursue to continue to grow your mind! Each section is set up with an "Explore" section and a "Do" section. Look around at the information in the "Explore" section then follow the instructions in the "Do" section.
Your response will be graded according to the following criteria:
Math Munch
EXPLORE:
Math Munch is a ridiculously awesome weekly blog of the mathematically interesting internet. Go to the website and browse through archives of recent posts or the headings at the top. There are a number of ways that you can participate. Find something that interests you.
DO: Pick one of the following activities, complete it, and turn it in.
Math Munch is a ridiculously awesome weekly blog of the mathematically interesting internet. Go to the website and browse through archives of recent posts or the headings at the top. There are a number of ways that you can participate. Find something that interests you.
DO: Pick one of the following activities, complete it, and turn it in.
- Re-create a piece of math art, or create your own artwork inspired by the original work. Turn in to Mr. Bigger, and submit a paragraph on what you were re-creating and how you did it.
- Work on a puzzle or a problem mentioned in a post. Turn in your work on paper and submit a paragraph description of what you were working on and where you found it.
- Watch a video from the blog. Submit a paragraph with what you learned and/or what questions you have.
- Read about a mathematician mentioned in one of the posts. Submit a paragraph about why this mathematician was interesting to you, and two questions you’d like to ask this person.
- Play a math-based video game and then submit a paragraph to critique it (likes, dislikes, suggestions, etc.) and explain how it related to math.
Doodling in Math Class - Vi Hart
EXPLORE:
Feel like doodling, paper folding, or other mathemagic? Visit Khan Academy for a list of videos made by Vi Hart, who calls herself a mathemusician. Watch one. Most of them are about something you can do, like doodling or paper folding.
DO:
Try out her doodle or activity (you can pause the video to go at a more appropriate speed) and then write a brief paragraph to explain what you did.
Feel like doodling, paper folding, or other mathemagic? Visit Khan Academy for a list of videos made by Vi Hart, who calls herself a mathemusician. Watch one. Most of them are about something you can do, like doodling or paper folding.
DO:
Try out her doodle or activity (you can pause the video to go at a more appropriate speed) and then write a brief paragraph to explain what you did.
New York Times Articles
EXPLORE:
This link shows articles about mathematics or mathematicians in the New York Times
DO:
Choose one to read, then submit a paragraph that clearly expresses your thoughts about the article.
This link shows articles about mathematics or mathematicians in the New York Times
DO:
Choose one to read, then submit a paragraph that clearly expresses your thoughts about the article.
What If?
EXPLORE:
“What if there was a robot apocalypse? How long would humanity last?” If you like hypothetical questions like these visit XKCD’s What If? Archive. Pick one to read over.
DO:
Submit a paragraph summary of what it was about and how it displayed mathematical/logical problem solving.
“What if there was a robot apocalypse? How long would humanity last?” If you like hypothetical questions like these visit XKCD’s What If? Archive. Pick one to read over.
DO:
Submit a paragraph summary of what it was about and how it displayed mathematical/logical problem solving.
Visual Patterns
EXPLORE:
Interested in finding and describing patterns? Go to Visual Patterns and pick one of the patterns that looks interesting. If you click on it, it will open a full image of the pattern and tell you how many are in the 43rd step.
DO:
Try to figure out an equation that describes the pattern. Write down the number of the visual pattern and your proposed equation (for example: # blocks = 4 (step number) + 1).
Interested in finding and describing patterns? Go to Visual Patterns and pick one of the patterns that looks interesting. If you click on it, it will open a full image of the pattern and tell you how many are in the 43rd step.
DO:
Try to figure out an equation that describes the pattern. Write down the number of the visual pattern and your proposed equation (for example: # blocks = 4 (step number) + 1).