Solving Real Problems with Mathematics Volume 2
Volume two of two publications produced by the Spode Group with the aim of providing a useful set of examples that are convincing applications of mathematics and applications which can be taught in schools. This volume contains case studies with three distinct components: problem statement, teaching notes and possible solutions. Volume…
Statistics and Probability
This book, 'Finding out', from the Shell centre offers a range of materials designed to support students as they pursue extended tasks relating to statistical investigations. The analysis of real data which is of some personal significance can be much more rewarding for students than the completion of exercises containing…
Teacher's Guide and Impact
The teacher’s guide from the Shell Centre which accompanies the series of modules to support school-based assessment is the main guide to the materials. It makes some suggestions as to how the materials might best be used. It was not intended that this guide should be read from cover to cover at the first attempt but was designed…
Pure Investigations
These two books from the Shell centre focus on the pure investigations. The pure investigation tasks are, perhaps, rather different from the other two main types of extended task, those of a practical nature and those of an applied nature, in the sense that they allow students to seek out the pattern and beauty of mathematics without…
Applications
These two books from the Shell Centre focus on applications. The tasks are intended to stimulate students' interest in, and understanding of, the world in which they live. As they pursue these tasks students will be involved in selecting materials and mathematics to use for their chosen task, checking they have sufficient information,…
Practical Geometry
These two books from the Shell Centre are part of the Extended Tasks for GCSE Mathematics support material produced for students as they pursued practical geometry tasks within any mathematics scheme. The practical geometry tasks were intended to stimulate students' interest in, and understanding of, the three-dimensional world…
Solving Real Problems with Mathematics Volume 1
Volume one of two publications produced by the Spode Group with the aim of providing a useful set of examples that are convincing applications of mathematics and applications which can be taught in schools. This volume contains case studies with three distinct components: problem statement, teaching notes and possible solutions.…
Investigations in Mathematics
This resource provides a wealth of ideas and inspiration for teachers looking to enrich the curriculum with investigative mathematics. There is a mix of examples drawing out the mathematics from a wide range of everyday objects and activities. The activities are split into six units. In Search of patterns: includes mathematical…
More Ideas for Coursework Activities
This book followed the introduction of the Century Maths Scheme. It was published to give teachers and students the opportunity to choose an interesting context in which to use mathematics for GCSE coursework. Students may have had a special interest in, say, photography, boats or farming, in which case they could choose accordingly. There…
Section 4: Getting Started
This section of the Teachers Evaluating and Assessing Mathematics (TEAM) project, produced by the Mathematics Centre at the University of Chichester, contains ideas, approaches, lists of useful resources and teachers' comments about their personal experiences. The aim is to develop a whole approach and attitude to learning…
Fashion Entrepreneur
Scheduling jobs in a fashion workshop is the context for this Nuffield exploration. There are six people in the workshop and a series of jobs to be completed in one day. The key processes which developed include: • Representing - identifying factors that affect decisions, producing a clear plan for the six people who contribute…
Paper Sizes
In this Nuffield investigation students study paper sizes in the A and B international series, exploring relationships within each series and between the series. The key processes are: • Representing - identifying the mathematics involved in the task and developing appropriate representations. • Analysing - working…
Corner to Corner
In this Nuffield activity students investigate how different numbers of squares can be joined corner to corner and the effect their arrangement has on the area of the rectangle that encloses the squares. The key processes developed in this activity are: • Representing - determining which aspects to investigate and record,…
5/5- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Interactive resource
Ferries
This Cre8ate maths activity allows the opportunity to discuss the modelling function of mathematics. The tasks allow students to develop their own strategies and to consider the idea of an ‘efficient’ algorithm. In addition, 'First fit and full bins' activity involves work on ratio and pie charts.
Nappy Changing Challenge
The Nappy Changing Challenge from Cre8ate maths provides real data about students for analysis. They undertake a timed, practical, exercise of folding a towelling nappy and putting it onto a toy baby doll. Throughout the task students complete a form for the Nappy challenge and record their completed data in an excel file. The…
More Miles for Your Money
Based on information and guides provided by the Department of Transport, this Cre8ate maths activity introduces the cost benefits of improving the aerodynamics of the cab section of a truck. Mathematical connections involve using calculators and spreadsheets to work on conversions and percentages in the context of a complex multi-step…
Playground Design
This activity from Cre8ate maths involves students in designing a playground. They will have to decide upon a suitable outdoor space and consider key features relevant to their design. Scaled templates can be used to trial several layouts giving consideration to safety needs, sight lines for supervisors, buffer zones between different…
- 4/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Activity sheet
Designing Logos
In this activity from Cre8ate maths students are encouraged to experiment with different kinds of symmetry to create a suitable logo. There is an exercise in using symmetrical properties to reproduce previously designed logos and this activity is complemented by Creating a logo, which gives students a free hand in using line…
Bricks and Tiles
This activity from Cre8ate maths investigates the lines of horizontal and vertical weakness in walls. Initially students are shown four walls and have to identify the lines of weakness in them, before finding the smallest rectangular solution which has no lines of weakness. Students should record their designs as they work and use…
- 4/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Experiment
Helicopter Seeds
This Cre8ate maths flight testing activity requires students to work in groups and, having made their own helicopter seed model from a template, record the landing positions and distances from a central point when the model is dropped from a standard height of one metre. The experiment is repeated ten times and involves the students…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Open-ended task
Growing More
This rich task from Cre8ate introduces students to a Latin Square, where each row and each column has all the variables once and only once. Students may be aware of Sudoku puzzles which are based on this scenario. They are challenged to find 12 different designs which satisfy the stated conditions for planting three types of rhubarb.…
GAIM Activities: Practical Problems
GAIM Activities are open-ended tasks where achievements in using and applying mathematics can be assessed alongside content. In the practical problems students apply mathematics to real-life situations. GAIM provides teachers with 80 Activities (40 Investigations and 40 Practical Problems) as a resource for teaching and assessment.…
- 4/5
- Publication year: 1990 - 1999
- Open-ended task
GAIM Activities: Investigations
GAIM Activities are open-ended tasks where achievements in using and applying mathematics can be assessed alongside content. In the investigations students explore pure mathematics. GAIM provides teachers with 80 Activities (40 Investigations and 40 Practical Problems) as a resource for teaching and assessment. These are open-ended…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 1990 - 1999
- Open-ended task