Math and Science Learning Activities
Part 1: Games and Simulations
Opinion: This is a great tool that can enhance students ability to test probability. Students can play Plinko while building a knowledge of statistics. Students can watch the ball fall through the pegs and see how the histogram will mark the final position of the ball.
Ease of Use: This application is very easy to use. The students using it will require some outside instruction on what the instructor would like them to do with the information that they gathered, but overall very user friendly. Educational Value: This simulation has a great educational value especially if you use it in a game based situation. Actually bring out "The Price is Right" sound track and make the class experience a gameshow experience. Age Group/Level: This app can be used for 8-12 grade working on statistics and probability. Applicability to Theme: This program will work well in introducing the lessons on probability, or as an in-class project on statistics. |
Opinion: This is a great way for students to be introduced to the ideas of friction, speed, weight, and potential and kinetic energy in physical science.
Ease of Use: This program allows students to test different environmental factors that affect the skater's speed, friction and energy levels. This program is very user friendly, but students would need to be introduced to exact pieces that the instructor would want them to use. Graphs and charts are easy to read, students can create their own skate park and record the different levels of potential and kinetic energy of the skater depending on the park. Educational Value: This app can be used as a lab experience that would allow students to test various factors related to friction and energy. Age Group/Level: This app is appropriate for a middle school physical science class. Applicability to Theme: This app is a great tool to be used within a physical science unit to help students connect friction and energy to an every day activity such as skateboarding. |
Opinion: This is a great game to encourage students' understanding of circuits. It is in the form of a spy game which adds excitement and intrigue to the learning
Ease of Use: The game is video based, so all instructions are laid out for the students as they participate in the spy story. Very easy to use. Educational Value: This game gives students another tool enhance their knowledge of circuits in a semi-applicable way. In playing the game students will learn about what can and cannot work in a circuit. At the end of the game, there is an explanation of what the students were doing as they were participating in the game. Age Group/Level: Middle school science students 6-8th grade. Applicability to Theme: This game could be used to easily enhance a lesson or as a review on circuits. It is fun and yet brings a greater understanding of circuits to the students attention. |
Problem Solving Game
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Opinion: This is a very simple game that introduces the idea of problem solving simple algebra (such as 4+X=6).
Ease of Use: This game is very easy to use with very clear directions shared at the top of the screen. Educational Value: This is a tool that can help enhance students' understanding of problem solving for missing numbers. This could be an extension activity or even a simple activity to begin the class. Age group/Level: This game is appropriate for 6-7th grade students. Applicability to Theme: This program will fit in nicely to a problem solving unit. Students could use this game for extra practice in trying to find the missing number. |
Part 2: Resources
Below are different math and science resources based in a symbaloo webmix.
Resources and their Standards
Math
Probability and Statistics
Standard:
S-ID.1Represent data with plots on the real number line (dot plots, histograms, and box plots).
S-ID.2 Use statistics appropriate to the shape of the data distribution to compare center (median, mean)
and spread (interquartile range, standard deviation) of two or more different data sets.
S-ID.3 Interpret differences in shape, center, and spread in the context of the data sets, accounting for
possible effects of extreme data points (outliers).
Activities (in relation to the plinko activity above):
1. Snake Eyes on the SAT - This activity helps students gain an understanding about probability of dice. Through the activity students will be able to test the different combinations and figure out the probability of different numbers when rolling two dice.
2. Right in the Middle- This activity is a fun way for a student to practice finding the mean and median by using a deck of cards.
3. Alpine Skiing Double Bar Graph- This activity allows students to practice organizing and presenting data in a bar graph.
4. Fermi Questions- This activity helps your student explore the world of estimating lart numbers based on questions done by Enrico Fermi.
5. The Monty Hall Problem- This activity give students the opportunity to practice the probability of finding a prize behind multiple doors on a game show.
Science
Forces of Energy
Standard:
PSc.3.1 Understand the types of energy, conservation of energy and energy transfer.
Activities:
1. Stored Energy - This activity will allow students to experiment and reflect on stored energy
2. Forces in Action- A virtual lab that allows students to experiment with different typs of energy.
3. Archery - This game gives students the ability to learn archery as it relates to energy and wind.
Acceleration
Standard:
PSc.1.1 Understand motion in terms of speed, velocity, acceleration and momentum.
1. Bungee Jump...With Eggs! This activity helps students work with the equation Force = Mass x Acceleration
2. Law of Motion Magic Trick This activity will help students have a greater understanding of motion while trying to attempt this classic magic trick!
Probability and Statistics
Standard:
S-ID.1Represent data with plots on the real number line (dot plots, histograms, and box plots).
S-ID.2 Use statistics appropriate to the shape of the data distribution to compare center (median, mean)
and spread (interquartile range, standard deviation) of two or more different data sets.
S-ID.3 Interpret differences in shape, center, and spread in the context of the data sets, accounting for
possible effects of extreme data points (outliers).
Activities (in relation to the plinko activity above):
1. Snake Eyes on the SAT - This activity helps students gain an understanding about probability of dice. Through the activity students will be able to test the different combinations and figure out the probability of different numbers when rolling two dice.
2. Right in the Middle- This activity is a fun way for a student to practice finding the mean and median by using a deck of cards.
3. Alpine Skiing Double Bar Graph- This activity allows students to practice organizing and presenting data in a bar graph.
4. Fermi Questions- This activity helps your student explore the world of estimating lart numbers based on questions done by Enrico Fermi.
5. The Monty Hall Problem- This activity give students the opportunity to practice the probability of finding a prize behind multiple doors on a game show.
Science
Forces of Energy
Standard:
PSc.3.1 Understand the types of energy, conservation of energy and energy transfer.
Activities:
1. Stored Energy - This activity will allow students to experiment and reflect on stored energy
2. Forces in Action- A virtual lab that allows students to experiment with different typs of energy.
3. Archery - This game gives students the ability to learn archery as it relates to energy and wind.
Acceleration
Standard:
PSc.1.1 Understand motion in terms of speed, velocity, acceleration and momentum.
1. Bungee Jump...With Eggs! This activity helps students work with the equation Force = Mass x Acceleration
2. Law of Motion Magic Trick This activity will help students have a greater understanding of motion while trying to attempt this classic magic trick!