Bringing Math to Life -

Mathematics Laboratory

Ouray 6-12 School

Ouray, CO

Requested Amount: $1,200

Donation Amount: $200

Math education is at its best when students can see it in action. This project requests a set of laboratory materials to be used in both math and physics classes.

When teachers collaborate across disciplines in the world of STEM, learning comes to life. As a teacher of math, science, and woodshop, I have endless opportunities to bring hands-on activities into my classroom. In particular, I find that students develop better understanding of math - and of it's value - when we put it to physical, tangible work. This could take the form of design and build challenges or laboratory experimentation, all with a component of mathematical modeling.

In this proposal, I'm requesting funding for materials to enrich the laboratory component of my precalculus, calculus, and geometry classes. These same materials will be valuable in physics classes as well. The equipment will be used by students in multiple classes for several years, and combined with curricular units that span the full range of a typical high school math education. Specific materials include optics kits, resonance and harmonic demonstrations, and tools and demonstrations for electromagnetic visualization.

Over the year's I've built and collected a modest collection of physical apparatus and equipment for demonstrations and for student driven experimentation. The items I'm requesting in this proposal are either impractical or less cost-effective to build myself, but will supplement an existing library of materials.

Ouray school district is a one-building, Pre-K through 12th grade public school serving the City of Ouray and the surrounding areas. In my experience, our student body represents a cross section of Colorado. Ouray has an economy based on mining and tourism, and many of our students come from families who work in these industries. The students themselves often work in the service sector as well.