4+Parents+&+Educators


 * Theme:** MATH IS FUN!
 * Subject(s):** Math Analysis & Algebra II Honors
 * Lesson Duration:** 1 Semester

Overview:

In this lesson, students will consider a location in the community that resident might go to have fun. They will work in groups to analyze the mathematics behind

(a) the design and construction of a recreational site that serves the local community, (b) the management, maintenance, and daily operations necessary to keep the site running, and (c) how the specific games and activities utilize mathematics to make visiting the site fun, while bringing in money.

Upon selecting a site, students must take initial observations of the mathematics they observe that make the recreational center an exciting place to visit. They can look at mathematical concepts such as:
 * Parabolas, Circles, Probability, Linear models, Exponential models, etc.

Also, they can consider ties to areas of science and technology such as:
 * Biology, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Programming, Engineering, etc.

Additionally, they can even consider monetary aspects of the venue such as business and hospitality management.

To do well on this project, students must do coordinate independent research of the players involved and the resources necessary to get a recreational site up and running. They must conduct interviews of professionals, and interact and examine features of the site to build their understanding of what it takes to make a recreational venue both fun and profitable.

Using multiple representations (diagrams, charts, graphs, and figures), they must present their information regarding the mathematics involved in the following areas:
 * monetary
 * design
 * management
 * maintenance
 * daily operations
 * games/activities

They will be required to do interviews of individuals from a variety of professions including but not limited to:
 * Professors/College Students
 * Engineers/Programmers/Architects
 * Owners/Managers/Mechanics
 * Visitors/Adults/Teens/Children
 * Parents/Administrators/Teachers/Librarians

Lastly, each member of the group will write a reflection on what they learned over the course of the project, how they would take on unique roles in the development of their own recreational center. They would talk about the rational behind choosing that specific role, the responsibilities and duration of responsibilities, the preparation/education/resources required to take on that role. In this reflection, students must highlighting potential problems that might arise in the implementation of their tasks and must identify specific professionals whom they would turn to to overcome these challenges. They must present a rough draft of their reflection to their peers and discuss how at least one suggestion provided could be useful to their project.