Curated OER
How Big Is That Star?
Aspiring astronomers study stars. They compare stars and explain the relationship between radius, mass, and diameter. By creating a star simulation, they discover how a binary star system's orbit can cause changes in the observed...
Teach Engineering
Energy Skate Park
Skate through a simulation on energy with an a activity that uses a computer simulation of a skater to reinforce the concept of conservation of energy. The resource guides pupils through scenarios using the computer simulation to...
Teach Engineering
The Great Gravity Escape
Groups simulate an orbit using a piece of string and a water balloon. Individuals spin in a circular path and calculate the balloon's velocity when the clothes pin can no longer hold onto the balloon.
Curated OER
Chances Are......You're Right
Young mathematicians study probability. In this math lesson plan, learners calculate odds, and convert those into percentages of probability. Fractions are also used, making this lesson plan quite rich in some of the more difficult...
Curated OER
Data Analysis and Probability: Graphing Candy with Excel
Collect and graph data using Microsoft Excel with your math class. They will make predictions about the number of each colored candy in a bag of M&M's, then sort, classify, count, and record the actual data before using Excel to...
Shodor Education Foundation
Life
How does life evolve? The interactive provides a simulation based on the Game of Life invented by mathematician John Conway. Users can run the applet with the preset rules and settings or adjust them to view whether overpopulation or...
Consumer Action
Talking to Teens About Money
Your teenagers are probably very good at spending money, but how good are they at managing it? Teach class members about banking, checking accounts, interest rates, car insurance, and many other relevant concepts with a series of...
Curated OER
Multi-dimensional Modeling of Ore Bodies Making Sense of Empirical Data
Math scholars identify four different rock types in that strata and use this identification and data to construct a two dimensional geologic cross-section. They use data tables to construct a three-dimensional geologic cross-section.
Shodor Education Foundation
Crazy Choices Game
Wanna take a chance on which game is best? The resource provides three games of chance using multiple types of games. Games range from coin toss to cards. Choosing a type of game, pupils determine what wins and enter the theoretical...
Shodor Education Foundation
Marbles
Grab some marbles from a bag. The applet simulates drawing marbles from a bag. Pupils determine the number of four colors of marbles in a bag and how many marbles to draw. Using information on whether order matters in the draw and if...
Shodor Education Foundation
Overlapping Gaussians
Adjust the overlap to compare probabilities. Using sliders, learners adjust the shape of two Gaussian curves. The interactive calculates the area of the left tail for one curve and the right tail for the other. Pupils set the interactive...
Shodor Education Foundation
Two Colors Applet
Find the box with two green balls. The applet uses six balls, three green and three red, and hides them in three boxes. Pupils choose a box and click on it to reveal the color of balls inside. Using the chosen box, the simulation keeps...
EngageNY
Making Fair Decisions
Life's not fair, but decisions can be. The 17th installment of a 21-part module teaches learners about fair decisions. They use simulations to develop strategies to make fair decisions.
Curated OER
How To Measure Area
Geometers learn how to measure the area in square units. They use the floor in the classroom as a visual to measure a square foot area. They use classmates to fill the space and expand the measured area square foot by square foot until...
101 Questions
Ditch Diggers
What's the best way to dig a ditch? Scholars watch a video that shows the progress of ditch digging from two ends. Using coordinate geometry, they determine whether two ends will eventually connect to form one single ditch or not.
Curated OER
Simulation and Statistics
Students perform simulation of video games as they explore statistics. In this algebra lesson, students relate concepts of statistics and data collection to solve problems. They decide their next step based on the previous assessment of...
Curated OER
Mapping with a Compass: A Simulated Survey
Students use compasses and grids to map the locations of artifacts found in a simulated dig site. In groups, they role-play as future archeologists excavating a school site. Groups begin at their assigned datum and site the artifacts...
National Security Agency
It's Probably Probable
Learners make predictions and draw conclusions from given information as they learn the meaning of probability in this vocabulary-rich, integrated activity that presents a variety of teaching strategies to motivate and reach...
Curated OER
A Wet Welcome Home
Learners investigate data collection and analysis. For this Algebra I lesson, students create a scatter plot and find the equation of best fit in a simulation of a leaking water pipe.
Partnership for Educating Colorado Students
Mayan Mathematics and Architecture
Take young scholars on a trip through history with this unit on the mathematics and architecture of the Mayan civilization. Starting with a introduction to their base twenty number system and the symbols they used, this eight-lesson unit...
Bowland
Speed Cameras
Do speed cameras help reduce accidents? Scholars investigate this question using a series of spreadsheet activities. Along the way, they learn about randomness, probability, and statistical analysis.
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...
Curated OER
Equivalent Fractions Manipulatives
Students study fractions. In this equivalent fractions instructional activity, students utilize fraction strips to enhance their understanding of equivalent fractions. They watch a demonstration and then work independently with their own...
Shodor Education Foundation
Coin Toss
Are your young mathematicians having a hard time making heads or tails of probabilities? It's no toss up—here is a resource that's sure to straighten them out! Learners run the interactive to toss a coin a different number of times....