Math Projects

    A student may demonstrate expertise in a topic by preparing materials and presenting this material to the class as a project.

    Usually a topic is narrow in scope -- a problem, a type of problem, a proof, a graphing technique, a calculator program. The topic is requested by the student and must be approved by the prof before the student writes the 2-page draft.

    In some courses the project is required.

    The components of the project are the same for each course though the point values may differ. The components are the title, draft, conference, final handout, presentation, and test question and answer. Refer to a course homepage or the following to see point values and component clarification for each course.

Project components or questions
• algebra
• precalc
• calculus

    Michelle Hagman's Fall 2003 project on Order of Operations introduces the idea of projects.

    First a title is requested by the student and approved by the prof. (2 points)

    A 2-page handout is required. The student prepares the handout, the prof edits and makes suggestions, the student revises the handout and the prof prints copies for the class. (1-2 points for draft, 1 point for conference, 1 point for final copy)

    Here are Michelle's handout pages. 1st 2nd.

    [ Here are 3 different precalc students' handouts -- Ed's: 1a 2a, Jing's 1b 2b; and Thanh's1c 2c. ]

    With the handout as a prop and outline, the student presents the material to the class.(1 point for presentation)

    An additional point(s) may be earned after the presentation for the creation of a test question and answer on the presented material or a web page.(1 point for question/answer, 1 point for web page)

    Michelle also produced other material (no extra credit) and had her son video-tape the presentation. She also produced a jingle, a word puzzle, and the puzzle answers.