Exposing Algebra Students to Inspiring Mathematics Stacey Reynolds ColoMATYC Spring 2013

One minute paper Math majors/minors in the room, please write down the first math topic that inspired you and made you think… WOW! Math is beautiful!

One minute paper How many people wrote… – Solving quadratic equations? – Simplifying rational expressions? – Polynomial operations? – Exponent rules? What about… – Fibonacci sequence and nature? – Mathematics and art? – Probability and poker hands?

The Research Project! Goals: – Expose students to interesting math topics – Show students there is more to math than algebra – Inspire creativity and writing in math classes

The Research Project! Students choose one of the following – Option A: Write a 1-2 page paper, a visit to the writing center is required – Option B: Give a 3-5 minute presentation to the class, a practice run through during office hours is required  Timeline  Receive directions during the day of the first exam  Prepare projects during unit two  Present/turn in papers before major holiday (Thanksgiving or Spring Break)

List of Topics Encourage students to explore a specific math topic they are already passionate or curious about! Fibonacci Sequence and Nature*Number Systems (Bases, Mayan, Egyptian) Golden Ratio*Probability and Poker Hands Continued FractionsProbability and Other Gambling Games Game Theory and the Prisoner’s DilemmaProbability and the Birthday Problem* Game Theory and the Traveler’s DilemmaCombinatorics and the Monty Hall Problem Number Theory and the Tower of HanoiUnderstanding the Slide Rule and Abacus* Fractals and the Mandelbrot SetKnot Theory* CryptographyMathematics and Art* Topology: the Möbius Strip and Klein Bottle*History of Infinity Graph Theory and the Four Color Map ProblemHistory of Imaginary Numbers Graph Theory and the Koenigsberg Bridge ProblemSymbolic Logic History of PiHistory of Origami* History of ePythagoras and the Pythagorean Theorem TesselationsEinstein and Einstein’s Riddle Zeno’s ParadoxesMathematics and Photography* *Would make for an interesting presentation/demonstration

Points earnedPoints possible Content Introduction – define the topic10 Body – summarize, explain, expand on topic, provide concrete examples or solutions to problem 15 Conclusion – explain relationship between topic and math, explain importance of topic 6 List a minimum of three sources3 Format Proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling5 Double-spaced2 12 point font, Times New Roman2 Narrow margins: 0.5 inches along top/bottom/left/right2 Other Visited writing center, attached signed pink slip5 Earned:Out of: 50 Rubric for Paper

Rubric for Presentation Points earnedPoints possible Content Introduction – define the topic10 Body – summarize, explain, expand on topic, provide demonstration (i.e. origami piece, knot), share something creative (i.e. fractal image) 15 Conclusion – explain relationship between topic and math, explain importance of topic 5 Format Provide visual aids including models, a website, or a short video5 Made eye contact with audience2 Maintained appropriate audibility and pace2 Timing (between 3-5 minutes)2 Engaged class, encouraged participation, answered an audience question, asked audience a question, showed enthusiasm 4 Other Scheduled and participated in a rehearsal with instructor during office hours (must be done one week in advance) 5 Earned:Out of: 50

A heads up… 3-4 students per section (out of 24) chose to present rather than write a paper Students need to be reminded of deadlines, often Students who choose to write a paper might rather their English instructor provide feedback instead of the writing center

Survey What did my students think about the project once the project had been completed?

Survey Results

The positive:

Survey Results The negative: – 16 students wrote “nothing” was negative about the project

Last Comments… Explain why the writing center is required (if you choose to require it) Be flexible – let students switch topics and project option A/B as needed Students won’t hate it, especially if you pitch it confidently!

Thank you! Questions?