Session #4

Mathematicians view mathematics within interesting and natural contexts. In this session, participants will engage and explore Three-Act Math Tasks; a story-telling pedagogical strategy that elicits student curiosity, collaboration, and questioning while redefining the term “real-world context” and the role that students play in the learning process. Resources will be provided.

For centuries, GPS locations were determined with the assistance of an eclipse. Using this method, Eratosthenes was able to calculate the circumference of the world and divide it into a grid plane. Now, we have degrees of latitude and longitude which are invisible lines that divide the earth. These lines are used to locate countries, cities, packages, shipments and landmarks in a quick and precise way. In this featured activity, students will track shipment’s location by using computational strategies to solve a series of mathematical problems representative of GPS coordinates.

Roughly 3,500 square miles and the first National Park, Yellowstone is choked full of engaging science opportunities. Thermophiles, earthquakes, chemistry, geology, and human impact will be explored and connected to NGSS.