Course Syllabus

2005 APTE Mathematics Institute

Anchorage

July 11-15 and July 18-22, 2005

Travel days for rural participants: July 10th and July 23rd, 2005

Please arrive at 8:00am on the first day of the institute

Continental Breakfast will be served in the classroom

at 8:00am on Monday, July 11th

For the remainder of the Institute, classes begin at 8:30am each day and breakfast and lunch are provided daily in the cafeteria (excluding week-end days).

Classes will be held at the UAA Commons in Room 106

Click here for the map to the Commons

SEE BELOW FOR THE SYLLABUS OF THE 2005 MATHEMATICS INSTITUTE

Mathematics Summer Institute

SYLLABUS

July 11-15 and 18-22, 2005

Anchorage, Alaska

Day 1 – July 11

Opening and Introductions. PowerPoint presentation on navigating on the tundra in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta will set the framework for our exploration of navigation on the tundra. In cooperative groups students will make a SUN DIAL and explore angles of the shadows created by the sun with the nail throughout the day. An alternative sundial will be constructed with sticks and stones. The class will explore coordinate systems and map making. Everyone will login to Blackboard and learn about its features and how to use it. Every participant will develop a homepage on Blackboard.

Day 2 – July 12

Groups will use their sundials to find the FOUR DIRECTIONS, true north, and rate of change each hour. What is the path generated by the end points of the shadows. Compare the direction of north on the magnetic compass with the direction of true north. Storybook reading of Katiq, a Yupik boy who travels across the tundra to ice fish with his grandpa. Class will work together to construct a table size diorama of the tundra. Together we will develop a navigation game for the diorama.

Day 3 – July 13

Film: The Mystery of Chaco Canyon. Groups prepare for Moon Watching. Each group makes 2 quadrants and 2 hoops with 12 sectors. Practice how to observe the moon and plot its position.

SCAVENGER HUNT: 5 objects will be hidden with directions using the shadow of the sun or the parallel direction with the sun. Directions will use angles and distance (number of steps). At the end of the day everyone will participate in a talking circle.

Day 4 – July 14

Groups will begin moon watching at 8 am, 10 am, Noon, 2 pm, and 4 pm. As the day progresses groups with chart and graph the position of the moon. Meanwhile the groups with create a planet mobile on a wire hanger and an Orbit spinner. Participants will role-play on the movement of the Venus and Earth about the sun. Participants will build a model of Earth, Venus and Sun.

Participants will model the behavior of Venus. Participants will explore Yup’ik names of the constellations.

Day 5 – July 15

Discuss latitude and longitude; compare to right ascension and declination. Determine the positions of the Big Dipper stars and Polaris. Students explore position of constellations relative to each other.

For the afternoon, the participants will break into different groups and each participant will build a model of the night sky a) butcher paper with beads and pipe cleaners. b) Umbrella with beads and pipe cleaners. c) Plastic Globe with felt tip pens (supplies are provided). d) Top side of blue baseball cap.

Groups investigate the movement of the Big Dipper, Speed of the Dipper and rotation of the dipper.

(over)

Day 6 – July 18

There will be 3 BOARD GAMES in the morning. In the afternoon students will explore the Internet software with the game for navigation. Participants will have a talking circle in the afternoon.

Day 7 – July 19

Visiting lecturer will be Travis Rector, a noted astronomer at UAA. Travis had visual presentation of his work and exploration of the sky. Participants will have opportunity to ask questions about the sky.

Groups will make a star theater out of cylinder boxes.

Day 8 – July 20

Visit the IMAGINARIUM (approximate departure by bus from the Commons is 1:30pm. The participants will have time to look around prior to 2:20pm. The program will be approximately 45 minutes. The bus departs the Imaginarium at 4pm to return to the Commons).

Day 9 – July 21

The Star Theatre is scheduled for today. The room will be darkened for this exercise. Develop a navigation game using the star theatre.

Participants modify the activities in this institute for their specific grade level students. These lesson plans are to be implemented in during the fall semester of the coming school year. All participants will engage in a talking circle.

Day 10 – July 22

Participants continue to modify activities for lesson plans.

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