Science Teaching Series

Internet Resources

I. Developing Scientific Literacy

II. Developing Scientific Reasoning

III. Developing Scientific Understanding

IV. Developing Scientific Problem Solving

V. Developing Scientific Research Skills

VI. Resources for Teaching Science

Mathematics Tools

Introduction: Software like Mathematica® and Math CAD® are powerful computational and programming tools. In this assignment you will become familiar with the basic features of Math CAD®, a program that is particularly attractive to secondary school mathematics teachers because the text editing features resemble standard mathematical form rather than standard computer form.

Before you get started:

Assignment: Demonstrate competence using MathCAD and Geometer's Sketchpad by providing a printout of the following. Use the text tool to identify your work


MATHCAD (Mathsoft Corporation) | (sample files)

(1) Calculations: Five different calculations using a variety of functions.

(2) Variables: Write three or more different equations relevant to your subject such as those shown below or those on the Constants and Equations Page. Solve each equation for one or more specific situation.

Biology

Logistic Growth Curve

Where I= rate of increase
K=carrying capacity
r=intrinsic rate of increase=(b-d)=births-deaths
N=number of individuals in the population
Chemistry

Force between charges

F=Force between two point charges
k=constant of proportionality
Q1 and Q2 =charges
V=potential difference
Physics

Relativity

E=energy
m=mass
c=speed of light

(3) Iterative Calculations: Solve an equation for a range of variables.

(4) Graphs: Create a graph of a function relative to the subject you teach.

(5) Integration/Summation: Use the integral and summation functions to solve problems of your choice.

(6) Implications for Teaching:

(a) What are the implications of tools such as Mathematica and MathCAD for the teaching and learning of mathematics? What are the issues, problems, benefits, challenges, and dangers?

(b) Should mathematics teachers be required to have mastery of such programs? Why or why not?

(c) How should such software be incorporated into the mathematics or science curriculum?


GEOMETER'S SKETCHPAD Key Curriculum Press. Download Trial Version of Geometer's Sketchpad.

(7) Solving real-life problems:

 

(a) Illustrate the concept of Pi using Geometer's sketchpad.

(b) Determining the epicenter of an earthquake: Knowing that P waves travel approximately 740 km/minute faster than S waves, determine the epicenter of an earthquake that produced the seismograms shown. (Please review the online simulation first).

  • Copy a map of showing three of the cities into Geometer's Sketchpad, and use the circle tool to draw circles around each with a radius equivalent to the distance to the epicenter.
  • Download an Excel file to calculate distances between the epicenter and various recording stations.
  • You will need to develop an appropriate scale for your map using air travel distance values.
  • The location where all three circles meet is the epicenter. Include a screen shot showing how you determined the epicenter using Geometer's Sketchpad.

(c) Using Geometer's sketchpad develop a lesson to show how to calculate the height of a building or the diameter of the moon. The average distance to the moon is 384,402 km. Include graphics in your drawing.

(d) Using the Sketchpad, develop a lesson to illustrate one or more theorems.

 

Seismograms

World Map

Retrieve a map of the appropriate region of the world from an online map service. (Pacific ocean maps courtesy of CIA Factbook and USGS)