inquiries Inquiries-Week 1: Circle Shading This is the first of a series of guided inquiries in math. Introduction When circles overlap they make lunes: or lenses: or other fun shapes: Activity Let's play with how we color circles that overlap. First, draw a few circles on a page. Make their intersections distinct (no
Math Birds Microcosm Oystercatchers Here is another bird in the series – Microcosm Oystercatchers. These are one of my favorite birds. I often see them in the black basalt cobbles on the coast with their fluorescent beaks. I had a hard time with where I wanted to go with this piece initially and went back to gaskets (something I […]
Math Birds Pacific Lune Another bird in the series! This one is a little luney. The lunes of Alhazen have the same area as the triangle. Note: Image was updated from the original post to fix an error
acrylic Ocean Transformation This weekend, I reflected on the ocean through my paints. I think of waves, tides, days, seasons and life in iterative cycles. The sun, moon, breath, and wave come as the same and different. Every wave that I hear is a different wave and the same ocean. Life is beautiful. This is a 16x20x1 acrylic [
Scripting Algebra SA9: Quadrant Play This Scripting Algebra (SA) activity looks at quadrants, mouse location, and interactive art p5.js. This activity assumes that the skills from SA1-SA8 were introduced (if-else, logical operators, random(), text(), rect(), variables, loop, pow, for, functions, translate, modulo, etc.). This activity
Scripting Algebra SA8: Odd and Even This Scripting Algebra (SA) activity uses even and odd polynomials to create generative art in p5.js. This activity assumes that the skills from SA1-SA7 were introduced (if-else, logical operators, random(), text(), rect(), variables, loop, pow, for, functions, translate etc.). This activity will in
Scripting Algebra SA7: Directrix and Focus This Scripting Algebra (SA) activity uses parabolas again to make generative art in p5.js. In SA6, we used the f(x) = ax2+bx+c form for parabolas. In SA7, we are going to take a look at the directrix and focus by using the form: (x-h)2 = 4p(y-k). This is one of my favorite ways to look […]
Scripting Algebra SA6: Parabola Art This Scripting Algebra (SA) activity uses parabolas to make generative art in p5.js. Learners will investigate existing code to analyze changes in parabolas, and other features of the output. This activity assumes that the skills from SA1-SA5 were introduced (if-else, logical operators, random(), te
Scripting Algebra SA5: Systems of Equations This Scripting Algebra (SA) activity will play with systems of linear equations in p5.js. In this activity, a system of two random lines will be generated and the intersection (or solution) of those lines will be calculated to make generative art. It is recommended to introduce creating functions if
Scripting Algebra SA4: Perpendicular Play This Scripting Algebra (SA) activity will introduce students to perpendicular slopes and points for lines in p5.js. Once students get comfortable with linear functions, it is fun to look at their perpendicular counterparts. Introduce the concept that a perpendicular line has a slope that is a negati
Scripting Algebra SA3: Exponents Exponential growth can be visualized so many different ways. This SA activity will play with the pow function and explore exponents in p5.js. This activity assumes that the skills from SA2 were introduced (if-else, logical operators, random(), text(), rect(), variables, loop, etc.). Make sure that t
52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 44: Conics, Orbits, and Projectile Motion You don’t have to be in high school math to play with conics, orbits, and projectile motion. This week (or month), learners can play with projectile motion, orbits, and conic sections with the activities below: 1.) Slicing cones * Learners can mold cones with clay and slice to see the
52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 43: Circles and Art Circles are so much fun! This week, I encourage learners to get out their compasses or a circle to trace and start making patterns on paper. Patterns with circles can start simple, but can also get really complex. You can combine your compass with a straight edge and get amazing