Super M.

  While looking for more technology based optimization problems, I came across a website, SuperM,  based in Hawaii with some really great problems.  I admit, they are geared towards Hawaiian students but they are an interesting and provide a different perspective.

The site is filled with lessons from elementary up to high school and beyond. Each lesson has information on the activity, the type of math involved in the lesson and the grades its appropriate for.

I checked out several including one on aquaculture.  The activity covers algebra, population modeling, exponential and logistic equations, graphing, and equation solving for grades 9 to 12. The lesson looks at managing fish populations with a focus on Hanauma Bay. 

Hanauma Bay is a beautiful place filled with clear water and pristine white sands now under the control of the state of Hawaii to protect it.  Its easy to find pictures of the place.  There is a lovely page giving background information, equations, graphs, and includes answers.

There is another on invasive species in Hawaii.  I know Fairbanks in Alaska is suffering from invasive species of plants because every parade a local group marches educating people about those.  This activity covers the same mathematics as the aquaculture.

This activity focuses on a type of frog accidentally introduced in 1988 from Puerto Rico.  In the 30 years since its introduction, the frogs have really multiplied and spread out all over the islands.  The activity looks at population growth both in Hawaii and on another island in the Marine sanctuary. 

Both activities take students through the process step by step from setting up the situation to doing the math including the actual equations, to making conclusions based on the data.

Although these are designed as paper and pencil activities, it wouldn't take much to convert them to be used with technology.  Instead of tables and graphs, it is easy to use spreadsheets and graphing functions.  Students can also put their work and conclusions on a slide for a presentation or a book or a magazine. 


Some activities begin with an experiment rather than a situation.  The hands-on activities are much like a science experiment where students have to write down data, formulate and write down conclusions. 

Even though it is Hawaiian based, it exposes students to other cultures and introduces a bit more diversity into your math program.  Check the site out and have fun.

Let me now what you think.  I'd love to hear.