Solution Squad

  Over the weekend, I became acquainted with a graphic novel of super heroes who solve mathematical problems.

These super heroes are better known as the Solution Squad. Each member has a superpower that are actually math based.

One member can perform complex calculations in her head, while another is able to create electromagnetic triangles in the air. 

The third member can represent absolute value, the fourth member is able to copy the powers of anyone around her just by a touch, the fifth is one of a pair of twins who can speed across the land at hyper speed while her twin can fly up or down and withstand huge changes in pressure.

This graphic novel was created by Jim McClain as a way to teach math.  He sells a hard copy of the graphic novel but you can get a digital copy of the first adventure.  There are links for all of these.

I purchased the Solution Squad in Primer, the digital copy and the lesson plans separately.  I love the super heroes have a boat named with a great mnemonic from trig.  They have a super plane again possessing a cool mathematical name. We get to read about their adventure with

The teachers guide provides lesson to accompany the graphic novel complete with the activity sheets.  I love the way he includes the Fundamental Theorem or Arithmetic as one of the activities which shows how one can fully factor any composite number using only prime numbers. 

In addition, students are exposed to Goldbach's Conjecture which states any number greater than 2 can be expressed as the sum of two primes.  Students are given the chance to practice the conjecture.  Another fun math concept is the idea of Happy Primes vs Unhappy Primes.  In a Happy Prime, you add the squares of all the digits in the number to get a second number.  Repeat the process with the each additional number until you get 1.  This is a lesson plan I could leave for a sub to do.

Check out the blog and the additional Web Comics.  I have another tool for my toolbox.  Thanks to Twitter for this lead.

I could easily use the Solution Squad in my Pre-algebra and Foundations of Math classes.  I think it would keep my students interested.