EngageNY
Using Unique Triangles to Solve Real-World and Mathematical Problems
How can congruent triangles help mark a soccer field? This is just one question your classes can answer after solving the real-world problems in the lesson plan. Each example posed through a word problem elicits higher-order thinking and...
Curated OER
Real-World Linear Programming
Explore linear programming on a website game. Partners solve a real-world problem by setting up an objective function and a linear inequality. They graph their results on chart paper and also using a calculator before presenting their...
EngageNY
Tax, Commissions, Fees, and Other Real-World Percent Problems
Pupils work several real-world problems that use percents in the 11th portion of a 20-part series. The problems contain percents involved with taxes, commissions, discounts, tips, fees, and interest. Scholars use the equations formed for...
National Security Agency
Growing Patterns: Practical Pattern Problems
Your learners explore growing patterns by describing, extending, creating, and evaluating practical pattern problems in this three-day collaborative unit. Beginning with concrete patterns and function tables to extend and...
Purdue University
Simple Machines – Dog Gone It!
How can people use simple machines to solve real-world STEM problems? Learn about simple machines using a hands-on, project-based learning activity. First, pupils investigate and evaluate simple machines. Then, they receive a task that...
EngageNY
Real-World Volume Problems
How long does it take to fill a typical swimming pool? Prepare your pupils to answer similar questions using the 28th lesson in the 29-part module. The engaging lesson asks individuals to solve problems connected to the flow rate. All...
EngageNY
Modeling Using Similarity
How do you find the lengths of items that cannot be directly measured? The 13th installment in a series of 16 has pupils use the similarity content learned in an earlier resource to solve real-world problems. Class members determine...
Virginia Department of Education
Practical Problems Involving Decimals
After discussing decimals and "going shopping" in the classroom, young mathematicians are given four practical word problems that require them to estimate their answers, given specific information. The highlight of the activity is...
Curated OER
Nothing But Problems
Here is a fabulous instructional activity on problem solving in the mathematical world. In it, third and fourth graders get lots of great coaching on how to approach word problems, and how to best find a solution. They watch an episode...
EngageNY
Solving Equations Using Algebra 2
If you use a fabulous lesson plan, then your pupils can become fabulous at solving equations. The 24th installment of 25 incorporates the use of if-then statements to illustrate the properties of equality used in solving two-step linear...
Purdue University
Field Trip Snack Holder
Is light related to insulation? An informative hands-on STEM activity demonstrates how light affects temperature. First, the class investigates how light passes through different mediums and how that relates to temperature. Then,...
Wake Forest University
Authentic Activities for Connecting Mathematics to the Real World
Check out the handout from a presentation that contains a collection of high school algebra projects connecting a variety of mathematics to the real world. Activities range from simple probabilities to calculus. The activities...
EngageNY
Solving Problems in Two Ways—Rates and Algebra
Build confidence by using multiple approaches to problem solving! This resource uses a visual and algebraic approach to solving application problems. A discussion is included about efficient approaches to different problems.
EngageNY
Putting the Law of Cosines and the Law of Sines to Use
Use the Law of Cosines and the Law of Sines to solve problems using the sums of vectors. Pupils work on several different types of real-world problems that can be modeled using triangles with three known measurements. In the process,...
K20 LEARN
Baking Cupcakes!: Fractions
Following an engaging video, mathematicians solve a word problem about baking cupcakes using fractions. Scholars practice different problem-solving strategies, then find different ingredient amounts for their recipes. Pupils solve a...
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Case of the Mysterious Renters
Upper-elementary kids examine the water usage in their own home, then use that data to solve a case in which a landlady is trying to determine how many people are living in an apartment being rented. Combine math, scientific method, and...
North Carolina State University
Exploring Genetics Across the Middle School Science and Math Curricula
Where is a geneticist's favorite place to swim? A gene pool. Young geneticists complete hands-on activities, experiments, and real-world problem solving throughout the unit. With extra focus on dominant and recessive genes, Punnett...
LABScI
Harmonic Motion: Pendulum Lab
Several times throughout history, groups of soldiers marching in rhythm across a suspension bridge have caused it to collapse. Scholars experiment with pendulums, resonance, and force to determine why this would happen. First, pupils...
EngageNY
Logarithmic and Exponential Problem Solving
Just how old is it? The 22nd portion to a 23-part Precalculus unit uses radiocarbon dating and other exponential modeled real-world problems. Learners use the inverse relationship between logarithms and exponentials to solve the problem...
Virginia Department of Education
Modeling Division of Fractions
Provide a meaningful context for learning about the division of fractions with this upper-elementary math lesson. Presented with a simple, real-world problem, young mathematicians work in small groups to develop visual models...
Doing Maths
Metric Measurements – Length
Seven word problems make up this metric instructional activity where scholars convert measurements and find the length of objects in real-world scenarios.
Curated OER
Problem Solving and the Sports Page
The use of box scores from baseball games is the foundation of this math lesson. Organize your class into groups of four, and give identical box scores from a baseball game that was just played. Have them create word problems from the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Busy Day
This activity gets at the heart of algebraic reasoning and setting up equations with one variable to solve real-world problems. The worksheet has only one problem, but it requires that learners first use their own reasoning...
Virginia Department of Education
Normal Distributions
Pupils work to find probabilities by using areas under the normal curve. Groups work to calculate z-scores and solve real-world problems using the empirical rule or tables.