GeoGebra STEM Exploration
Lesson idea. GeoGebra is mathematics software that is going viral globally. Ithas many similarities with Excel, is free and highly interactive yet remains a challenge for many to get started. Students are offered a unique opportunity to contribute to its deployment in the UK by developing applications for use by a wide technical ability range of students and teachers. In addition to a technical challenge, all students will be tasked to demonstrate communication and collaboration skills including on-line, team-working and face-to-face presentations.
Teaching approach. The half-term activity consists of 3 half-day workshops interspersed with home-working and on-line collaboration. Each workshop is part tutorial and help in GeoGebra, part development, presentation and feedback on their emerging work. The three half-day sessions become gradually less structured as students become more confident taking the initiative in developing their own work:
An initial GeoGebra tutorial session features ‘real life’ examples such as mathematical modelling(ta) and visualisation(ta) from photographs of patterns and structure in flowers and architecture; exercises such as “math aerobics” where students model algebraic functions kinaesthetically; and data analysis and exploration such as from astronomy (Kepler's 3rd law) and athletic performance (Usain Bolt’s 100m sprints). Realistic examples such as these, or from students’ previous work, are essential to get the ball rolling. Following this, the onus is very much on the student’s own initiative. The focus on ‘real life’ and student ownership of ideas and project development increases student motivation.
The activity engages pupils in group talk(ta), mathematical thinking(ta) and vocabulary(ta). This open ended(ta) task develops higher order(ta) reasoning(ta), and encourages whole class(ta) discussion(ta)/questioning(ta) and inquiry(ta) projects. (edit)
| Resource details | |
| Title | GeoGebra STEM Exploration |
| Topic | |
| Teaching approach | |
| Learning Objectives | By the end of the activity students should be able to:
|
| Format / structure | wiki page with downloadable .doc version |
| Subject | |
| Age of students / grade | |
| Table of contents | |
| Additional Resources/material needed | |
| Useful information | The first resource is an overall description of the activity, containing example activities and agendas. This is followed by math aerobics and two highly successful GeoGebra resources to stimulate the students. Finally, five students GeoGebra activities can be used to further stimulate new students. |
| Related ORBIT Wiki Resources | |
| Other (e.g. time frame) | |
| Files and resources to view and download | The first resource is an overall description of the activity, containing example activities and agendas: Here are some of the resources, Math aerobics and two highly successful GeoGebra resources Kepler and Usain Bolt to stimulate the students:
Finally, the GeoGebra activities of five students can be used to further stimulate new students: NB: These are described in the above GeoGebra STEM Exploration document. |
| Acknowledgement | |
| License | |
