“When are we ever going to use this in real life?” My students ask this question all the time. It’s a fair question, but sometimes it’s a hard one to answer. They’re curious and clever, making sure the Algebra and Pre-Calculus they are learning really will benefit them in life outside of class.
Curiosity can only take my kids so far.
Without a means to experience more, students get bored and lose interest. Many come from homes where education is not seen as a necessary tool to success. They need something new and interesting to keep them motivated. They need opportunities to problem solve and have fun while learning.
My Project
As students get older, their natural curiosity in mathematics seems to decrease. They start wondering more about why they need to learn something and demand an answer before they will engage with the material. Escape room style activities provide students an opportunity to use the mathematics they have learned while seeing where this math is used outside of school.
The Arduino sensors and micro controllers will provide new and exciting aspects to what is already a popular review activity.
Solving math problems to open locks has been a great tool to engage my students. However, students need fresh activities and surprises to keep them interested.
I have already put together a space-themed escape room for our Conic Section Unit in Pre-Calculus. In it, students play the role of a stranded space explorer who is trying to find and repair his spacecraft. The local inhabitants try to provide assistance; however, their aid only comes in the form of mathematical puzzles. Adding the weight sensors will provide an excellent finish for the activity. Students will determine which tools are needed to fix the space craft. Placing the correct items on the weight sensor will trigger a surprise ending.
We do multiple escape room style activities a year and the variety of requested Arduino sensors will exponentially increase the creativity of the projects and the interest of the students.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. March and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
