Real World Precalculus and Calculus Projects AMATYC FALL

Real World Precalculus and Calculus Projects AMATYC FALL CONFERENCE DENVER, CO NOVEMBER 17 -20, 2016 CATHEY JORDAN MARY PEARCE WAKE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE RALEIGH, NC

Background �Historically, students don’t really “get” projects in math classes. �Based on this, we decided to start creating projects that had more individual meaning to students. �Students seem to enjoy this change!

Precalculus Projects �Experiments and Data Collection Students gather data based on 1 of 6 different experiments, then create models to determine whether the data is exponential or logarithmic. �Satellites Periodic Modeling: Students are guided to the website http: //sscweb. gsfc. nasa. gov/ to collect LAT and LON data on a specific satellite. They then create a model, and compare with classmates to answer various questions.

Projects �Down the Drain Periodic Modeling: Students gather data from a circular graph showing the water level in a town’s storage tanks, then create an appropriate model.

Vectors in the Real World �This project is designed to better enhance students understanding of vectors and their components by studying flight paths and navigation. �Students enjoy the opportunity to see how the “black and white” mathematics they’re doing in class is actually used in the world around them.

First, they map a flight in their home state. �Http: //geology. com/state-map/

Examples of Student Work

Examples of Student Work

Examples of Student Work

Next, they analyze a real flight path. �http: //www. flightview. com/Travel. Tools/

Wind Analysis �http: //excelmathmike. blogspot. com/2009/11/answe r-is-blowin-in-wind. html

Example of Student Work

Conic Sections in the Real World �This is a technology based project – students must create an animated powerpoint, movie, etc. �Students photograph pictures of the conics they discover in the world around them, then create the equation of the conic section represented. �This project allows the creativity of a student to shine.

Calculus Projects �You’ve Got Me Over a Barrel The overall goal of this project is to minimize the construction cost of a right circular cylinder of fixed volume. The project is broken down into numerous parts, some done individually by students, and some done as a team. This approach helps to guarantee personal responsibility of individual students along with teamwork for the completion of the project.

Calculus Projects �Analysis of Course Topics In this project students are required to create their own applications for topics such as related rates, optimization, the chain rule, differentials, and the mean value theorem. Once their applications have been approved, they must show complete solutions and explain the mathematical reasoning behind their work.

Calculus Projects �Parachuting with Jane Bond 008 In this project students are must determine a piece-wise defined differential equation for the rate of change of velocity of Jane’s escape, along with iterative formulas that will generate successive heights and times for her descent. The overall question they must answer is how much time does Jane Bond have once she hits the ground before the motorcycles arrive to thwart her escape.

Thanks for attending, have a great day! cajordan@waketech. edu mdpearce@waketech. edu