Shodor Education Foundation
Caesar Cipher
Caesar ciphers hide secret missives. A simple interactive lets users encode and decode hidden messages. The cipher method here is the Caesar shift.
Shodor Education Foundation
Plop It!
Build upon and stack up data to get the complete picture. Using the applet, pupils build bar graphs. As the bar graph builds, the interactive graphically displays the mean, median, and mode. Learners finish by exploring the changes in...
Illustrative Mathematics
Medieval Archer
Class members determine the distance a video game character must move to shoot an arrow over a castle wall. Players determine the new equation to enter to represent the trajectory of the arrow and find all the distances the character can...
McGraw Hill
Stellar Parallax Interactive
How are scientists able to measure distances between stellar bodies? Turns out it's not very easy! Learners explore the process of trigonometric parallax as the method of determining these distances. They experience the same challenges...
Shodor Education Foundation
Algebra Quiz
Reviewing the process of solving equations is as easy as one click of a button. Scholars solve linear and quadratic equations by using a helpful interactive. The computer app automatically scores responses, providing immediate feedback...
Shodor Education Foundation
Algebra Four
Everybody wins when you play Algebra Four. Players solve linear and quadratic equations to earn pieces on the Algebra Four game. Make a row of four pieces and you win the game. But everyone gets practice with solving equations, so really...
Shodor Education Foundation
Function Machine
Machines can be so helpful sometimes. A simple interactive has learners enter input values for a function machine and observe output values. These values help determine a function that represents the input-output relationship in the...
Statistics Education Web
Which Hand Rules?
Reaction rates vary between your dominant and nondominant hand ... or do they? Young scholars conduct an experiment collecting data to answer just that. After collecting data, they calculate the p-value to determine if the difference is...
Intel
Forensics: Get a Clue
Although the methods are all scientific, forensic science was started by police officers rather than scientists, who relied on observation and common sense. Young detectives use many tools to solve crimes around the school in a...
Curated OER
Designing Models to Simulate Actual Events Using a Table of Random Digits
Students design models to simulate actual events using a tale of random digits. They estimate the likelihood of a particular outcome using results of simulation. Students investigate the uses of statistical methods to analyze data.
Curated OER
Math Bargains
First graders use real coins or concrete models of coins to solve problems involving the purchase of items. They use cons and simulate going to a bargain store to purchase items. Students record the total cost of items. Pupils make a...
Curated OER
Math: Heads or Tails
Seventh graders discover the difference between theoretical and experimental probabilities by designing their own problems and testing them. After conducting their own coin toss trial, they compare their results with an Internet...
Curated OER
Real-World Applications to Imaginary and Complex Numbers
Authenticate imaginary numbers through real-life applications in science, math, and literature.
Curated OER
Earth's Age: The Dating Game
Learners conduct a simulation to determine radioactive decay and half-life. Using pennies, dice or sugar cubes as isotopes placed in shoe boxes simulating rocks, they hold five trials representing 1000 years each to find the theoretical...
Curated OER
Data Analysis and Probability
Students design models to simulate actual events using various random devices. They estimate the likelihood of a particular outcome using results of simulation. In addition, they simulate the births of three children to a using a coin.
Curated OER
Calculating Profits from Selling Virtual Lemonade
Students set up and collect data for a virtual lemonade stand. In this entrepreneurship, economics, and technology lesson, students purchase ingredients, determine costs, and set up a virtual lemonade stand. Students consider weather...
Curated OER
Trajectory Perplexity
Students investigate measuring angles correctly through projectiles. In this geometry lesson, students launch a projectile to investigate the importance of how to measure an angle correctly and to explore trajectory. They collect...
Curated OER
An Introduction to Mathematica and the "Birthday Problem"
Twelfth graders determine the probability of two people in their class sharing the same birthday. In this determining the probability of two people in their class sharing the same birthday problem lesson plan, 12th graders use...
Curated OER
Aqua-Thrusters!
Students construct their own rocket-powered boat called an "aqua-thruster." These aqua-thrusters will be made from a film canister and will use carbon dioxide gas - produced from a chemical reaction between an antacid tablet and water -...
Curated OER
Investing Money
Sixth graders participate in an simulated investment activity. They examine the purpose of different types of investments before they predict which will be the most successful. Finally, they simulate investing $1,000 in stocks, $1,000 in...
Curated OER
Economics
Students simulate operating a coal mine and calculating the expense of mining operations by choosing a chocolate chip cookie, buying tools to mine the chocolate chips and using paper money to pay for the expense of mining.
Curated OER
Probabilities for Number Cubes
Middle schoolers explore the concept of probability. In this probability lesson, students roll a six-sided number cube and record the frequency of each outcome. Middle schoolers graph their data using a frequency chart and...
Curated OER
Estimating School Store Purchases
Students examine uses for estimating, and round purchase prices to estimate total purchases in a simulated school store setting. They discuss what it means for an item to be on sale, and observe the teacher work through the process of...
Curated OER
Flight Dreams - Flight Factors
Students investigate the physics of flight by experimenting in class. In this history of flight lesson, students define terms such as gravity, lift, and drag in order to better understand how a plane is able to stay in the air....