Polynomials and Roller Coasters - A Unique Modeling Experience
Help me give my students the opportunity to model polynomials in Algebra II in a unique way. They will get to build a roller coaster and collaborate to represent their roller coaster graphically with polynomials.
Math is a subject where we constantly look for concrete materials to model the concepts we are trying to teach. The need for real world application is greater than it has ever been to help solidify the purpose of learning mathematics. My demographic of students generally struggle with math and usually struggle with confidence in math. I want to create projects to help them manipulate materials and model those manipulations with mathematics to help the concepts stick in their brains. Students are constantly changing and keeping them motivated and interested in the material is a constant battle. I want authentic projects that will spark their interest to show them that math is not always about watching the teacher in the front of the room, that they can dive in and manipulate materials to model situations.
My Project
Students will collaborate to build a roller coaster out of K'Nex, a marble track, or create one from scratch. They will then analyze and represent the height of the roller coaster car as a function of time. To start they will need to identify where on the roller coaster they would like to take their readings. They will use the ruler to measure in centimeters/millimeters to check the height from the ground at each of these points. To get the time they will start the car on the roller coaster and use a stopwatch to determine how much time it takes to get to each place they have marked. They will use a graph to plot their critical points and then write the function of the polynomial using polynomial regression. This project will put all of the learning targets for polynomials we will talk about into one central place for students to show their understanding. Giving the students an opportunity to create something with their hands will allow them to manipulate math and be fully engaged with the project.
K'NEX Thrill Rides – Bionic Blast Roller Coaster Building Set with Ride It! App – 809Piece – Ages 9+ Building Set
• Amazon Business
$76.22
1
$76.22
Ravensburger Gravitrax Marble Run & STEM Toy For Boys & Girls Age 8 & Up - 2019 Toy of The Year Finalist
• Amazon Business
$59.55
1
$59.55
K'NEX Thrill Rides Lunar Launch Roller Coaster Building Set
• Amazon Business
$56.99
1
$56.99
K'NEX Thrill Rides - 3-in-1 Classic Amusement Park Building Set
• Amazon Business
$50.59
1
$50.59
K'NEX Thrill Rides-Kraken's Revenge Roller Coaster Building Set-Ages 9+ -Engineering Education Toy
• Amazon Business
$49.99
1
$49.99
K'NEX Education ‒ STEM Explorations: Roller Coaster Building Set – 546 Pieces – Ages 8+ Construction Education Toy
• Amazon Business
$35.49
1
$35.49
K’NEX Thrill Rides – Infinite Journey Roller Coaster Building Set – 347 Pieces – Ages 7+ – Engineering Educational Toy
• Amazon Business
$35.00
1
$35.00
SpaceRail Game 5,000mm Rail, Roller Coaster Building Set, Marble Roller Coaster Kit with Steel Balls, Great Educational Toy for Boys and Girls, Level 1
• Amazon Business
$24.90
1
$24.90
K'NEX Thrill Rides - Clock Work Roller Coaster Building Set – 305 Pieces – For Ages 7+ Engineering Education Toy
• Amazon Business
$23.23
1
$23.23
K'NEX Thrill Rides – Cobweb Curse Roller Coaster Building Set – 473Piece – Ages 9+ Construction Educational Toy Building Set
• Amazon Business
$22.95
1
$22.95
K'NEX Thrill Rides T-Rex Fury Roller Coaster Building Set With K'NEX Ride It! App
• Amazon Business
$22.49
1
$22.49
SpaceRail Glow in The Dark 6,500mm Rail, Roller Coaster Building Set, Marble Roller Coaster Kit with Steel Balls, Great Educational Toy for Boys and Girls, Level 1.2
• Amazon Business
$20.43
1
$20.43
K’NEX Thrill Rides – Web Weaver Roller Coaster Building Set – 439 Pieces – Ages 9 and Up – Construction Educational Toy
• Amazon Business
$18.23
1
$18.23
Materials cost
$496.06
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$27.28
3rd party payment processing fee
$7.44
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$560.78
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$98.96
Total project goal
$659.74
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$659.74
2 Donors
-$659.74
Donations toward project cost
-$560.78
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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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 Mr. Juba and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
