Math Projects
MATH PROJECT SELECTION LIST
1. Investigate the five "perfect" (or Platonic) solids and explain why there are only five. References: "The Mathematics Teacher", April '77, p. 335; I have directions for making the solids from strips of paper; NCTM Student Math Notes, May 1999. 2. Research an invention based on unusual geometric properties or configurations (e.g. Rolamite Bearing, Wankel Engine, Holograms, etc.). References: "Popular Science", Feb. '76, p. 106; "Popular Science", Aug. '76, p. 84; "Scientific American", Aug. '72, p. 15; Edmund Scientific Catalog; Student Math Notes, March 1989, Consortium Fall 1995(#55), The Mathematics Teacher Jan 1998; "The Mathematics Teacher," January 1998, p. 12. 3. Learn about the Escher variety of periodic drawings and learn how to analyze an Escher drawing to find the unit cell, etc. References: "The Mathematics Teacher", April '74,; "The Mathematics Teacher", Dec. '76, p. 647; I also have some materials for this. 4. Investigate tiling the plane with similar figures, (i.e. tessellation). References: "Scientific American", July '75, p. 112; "Scientific American", Aug. '75, p. 112; Sachs, ed. Student Merit Awards, (Mr. Funsch) p. 108 ff. 5. Analyze and describe the construction of an accurate sundial (gnomon). Reference: "The Mathematics Teacher", May '75, p. 438; Waugh, Sundials, Their Theory and Construction, '73, New York, Dover. 6. Make and use a clinometer (sextant) to indirectly measure five lengths. Do this project only after having studied similar triangles. Reference: "The Mathematics Teacher", Feb. '76, p. 135. 7. Investigate the field of topology. References: Life Science Library, Mathematics (ACS and Jeff Maxwell Library), pp. 176-191; Sharp, A New Mathematics Reader (JML), Chapter 11; "The Mathematics Teacher", Mar. '76, p. 215; "The Mathematics Teacher", Dec. '75, p. 647; Sachs, ed. Student Merit Awards (Mr. Funsch), p. 34 ff; NCTM,
1. Investigate the five "perfect" (or Platonic) solids and explain why there are only five. References: "The Mathematics Teacher", April '77, p. 335; I have directions for making the solids from strips of paper; NCTM Student Math Notes, May 1999. 2. Research an invention based on unusual geometric properties or configurations (e.g. Rolamite Bearing, Wankel Engine, Holograms, etc.). References: "Popular Science", Feb. '76, p. 106; "Popular Science", Aug. '76, p. 84; "Scientific American", Aug. '72, p. 15; Edmund Scientific Catalog; Student Math Notes, March 1989, Consortium Fall 1995(#55), The Mathematics Teacher Jan 1998; "The Mathematics Teacher," January 1998, p. 12. 3. Learn about the Escher variety of periodic drawings and learn how to analyze an Escher drawing to find the unit cell, etc. References: "The Mathematics Teacher", April '74,; "The Mathematics Teacher", Dec. '76, p. 647; I also have some materials for this. 4. Investigate tiling the plane with similar figures, (i.e. tessellation). References: "Scientific American", July '75, p. 112; "Scientific American", Aug. '75, p. 112; Sachs, ed. Student Merit Awards, (Mr. Funsch) p. 108 ff. 5. Analyze and describe the construction of an accurate sundial (gnomon). Reference: "The Mathematics Teacher", May '75, p. 438; Waugh, Sundials, Their Theory and Construction, '73, New York, Dover. 6. Make and use a clinometer (sextant) to indirectly measure five lengths. Do this project only after having studied similar triangles. Reference: "The Mathematics Teacher", Feb. '76, p. 135. 7. Investigate the field of topology. References: Life Science Library, Mathematics (ACS and Jeff Maxwell Library), pp. 176-191; Sharp, A New Mathematics Reader (JML), Chapter 11; "The Mathematics Teacher", Mar. '76, p. 215; "The Mathematics Teacher", Dec. '75, p. 647; Sachs, ed. Student Merit Awards (Mr. Funsch), p. 34 ff; NCTM,
References: Student Math Notes: May 1987. Consortium #52. 34. Investigate the technique of linear programming. "Consortium" Winter 1991 and Summer 1992. ra