The Importance and Beauty of Mathematics
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The "Probabilities" Series
In the "Probabilities" series of activities you discover, invent, and test your mathematical theories.
These are a little more advanced, so please check out any suggested prerequisites. E.g., The Art of the Lynx, Create an Interactive Card, Interactive Story ProjectActivity Cards & Guides
Students will create a computer simulation to test the probability of an event, in this case of two people in a class having the same birthday. This activity can be modified to demonstrate the probability of other events, such as the chance of rolling the same number on a die or on multiple dice.
Students will code the computer to:
Stamp a shape for each person’s birthday in a randomly determined location.
Create variables using sliders, and text boxes.
Create conditional statements to test conditions and control action.
Grades: 5 - 8
Time: maybe 3 60 minute sessions
Students will code an investigation to see how trial size impacts the probability of an event.
Students will code the computer to:
Randomly choose an event
Set the number of trials for an investigation
Keep track of how many times an event occurs
Create a graph using the data
Grades: 4 - 8
Time: maybe 3 60 minute sessions
Students will create a Calculator Program.
Students will code the computer to:
Retrieve input from the user via text boxes
Create variables and store values
Create an interactive button
Perform operations on numbers entered by the user
Animate a shape using Repeat
Hide and show text boxes
Advanced options include:
Incorporating additional buttons and operations
Try coding other applications that require the same skills
Grades: 6 - 8
Time: maybe 3 60 minute sessions
Students will create a gravity simulation.
This activity will allow the students to demonstrate how a object is affected by gravity and rolls down an incline plane or hill.
For this simulation and animation the students will use a ball to show what this might look like.
Students will code the computer to:
Locate objects using coordinates
Create backgrounds
Direct actions based on compass headings
Write procedures
Use buttons to trigger actions
Animate an object to simulate movement
Add a slider to create variables
Advanced options include:
Using more complex inclined plane
Grades: 3 - 8
Time: maybe 5 60 minute sessions