Trigonometry

We usually do our Trigonometry unit towards the end of the school year, when the weather's nice and students are starting to think about vacation...which is why all 3 of these projects tend to be a big hit!  Honestly, I usually only have time to do 2 of them before the end of the year.  So choose the ones that you like best!

New for the 2024-25 school year, we'll be using the "Hook Lesson" for Trigonometric Functions.  We'll also suggest that teachers print out a poster-sized copy of the "Menu of Covariaton"  and post it in the front of their classrooms.    

• "Trig, Treetops & Ziplines" (w/demonstration video below) - Students use right triangle trigonometry to indirectly measure the heights of trees, goal-posts, flag-poles, etc...while never leaving the ground!  Note: this project works best if you print out project (rather than just posting it to google classroom), since the students will bring the paper outside with them.  

• "Blindfolds & the Law of Sines" (w/Problem Sets & Answer Keys Below) - This project is a blast and a great way to end the year!  This project would work best if group (of 2 or 3) students has a unique problem set.  We have 10 different problem sets that will each bring the students to the "secret location" on the football field (the 40 yard line in the exact middle of the field).  Admittedly, this project deviates from my philosophy of always having students generate their own personal data, but it's so much fun that no one ever complains!

• "Plan your Vacation" (w/Teacher Example) - Students use the Cosine Function to model the annual temperature fluctuation of their chosen vacation destinations!