This project overview outlines a Pre-Calculus project where students will examine real-world objects and structures to identify underlying mathematical functions. Students will take photos of examples, use Geometer's Sketchpad to predict equations and analyze properties. The driving question is about basic functions and their representations in the world. Students will present findings in a PowerPoint incorporating content standards on functions, modeling, tools, and presentation skills. Formative assessments include journals, plans, and practice presentations, while summative assessments consist of a group presentation and individual participation. Resources include campus access, cameras, and software.

1. PROJECT OVERVIEW
Name of Project: Functions in the World Around Us Duration: IDK
Subject/Course: Pre-Calculus Teacher(s): Me Grade Level: 10-12th
Other subject areas to Art, Photography, Writing, Computers
be included, if any:
Project Idea Students will carefully examine the world around you to search for unexpected or hidden mathematical content within ordinary
Summary of the issue, objects and surroundings. Students are to take and print a photo of something that has an underlying mathematical structure, use
challenge, investigation, Geometer’s Sketchpad to predict the equation and analyze the properties of the equation.
scenario, or problem:
Driving Question What are the basic functions and how are they represented in the world.
Content and Skills Math CCSS
Standards to be
addressed: 1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
4 Model with mathematics.
5 Use appropriate tools strategically.
6 Attend to precision.
CCSS Algebra Functions
F-IF Interpreting Functions
F-BF Building Functions
F-LE Construction Functions
T+A E T+A E
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2. 21st Century Skills Collaboration T+A Other:
to be explicitly taught and
assessed (T+A) or that Presentation T+A
will be encouraged (E) by
project work, but not
Critical Thinking: T+A
taught or assessed:
Presentation Audience:
Group: Power-Point Presentation that incorporates all elements asked on the rubric. √
Culminating Class:
Products and
Performances
School:
Community:
Actively participate in all group activities. Each member must contribute Experts:
Individual: equally to the group’s end product. Web:
Other:
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Entry event to Students will learn about functions, its graphs, and its characteristics. Visit the Getty Museum if possible.
launch inquiry, Students will also do a walking tour of the campus while taking mental notes on functions in the real world.
engage students:
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3. Assessments Quizzes/Tests Practice Presentations
Formative
Assessments Journal/Learning Log Notes
(During
Project) Preliminary Plans/Outlines/Prototypes Checklists
Rough Drafts Concept Maps
Online Tests/Exams Other:
Written Product(s), with rubric: Other Product(s) or Performance(s), with rubric:
Summative __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
Assessments
(End of Project) Oral Presentation, with rubric Peer Evaluation
Multiple Choice/Short Answer Test Self-Evaluation
Essay Test Other:
.
Resources On-site people, facilities: Getty Museum if possible
Needed
Equipment: Cameras, computer, software, projector
Materials:
Community resources:
Reflection Journal/Learning Log Focus Group
Methods (Individual,
Group, and/or Whole-Class Discussion Fishbowl Discussion
Whole Class)
Survey Other:
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4. PROJECT TEACHING AND LEARNING GUIDE
Project: Course/Semester:
Knowledge and Skills Needed By Students Scaffolding / Materials/ Lessons To Be Provided
to successfully complete culminating products and by the project teacher, other teachers, experts,
performances, and do well on summative assessments mentors, or community members
12 Basic Functions: Interpret, Build, Construct Students would have learned the twelve basic functions
and be able to write formulas for the transformation of
 each function.
Properties of Functions Students would have been exposed to the 8 properties of
functions: domain, range, boundedness, asymotote, max/
min, end behavior, etc.

Students would also be able analyze the functions in
regards to these characteristics.
Photograph Taking and Manipulating Students should know how to use a camera to capture
images, import photos to the computer, use an imaging-
 software to manipulate the photos.
Geometer’s Sketchpad Student should be able to use Geometer’s Sketchpad to
graph functions. Also, they should be able to import
 photos and superimpose graphs of functions onto the
photos on a coordinate grid.
PowerPoint Presentation Students will be able to effectively and efficiently use
PowerPoint to present their findings and analysis. They
 should be able to use the PowerPoint slides to guide their
in-class presentation of Functions.
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5. PROJECT CALENDAR
Project: Start Date:
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
Project Week One
Project Week Two
Project Week Three
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6. Project Week Four
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7. © 2008 Buck Institute for Education 7