Ways to Show "Applied Mathematics."

The other day, I started class by showing a clip from a new station showing a trebuchet they built to chuck pumpkins.  I talked about how much of the math taught in class is more theoretical but that we see math being applied in real life.

I decided it is time to show students actual situations of applied math in situations without discussing the actual mathematical equations, just the applications in general terms.

I've been trying to promote the idea that the equations they study in class are ways to describe everything we see or experience in the world.  The kids really liked being the Trebuchet send the pumpkin over 2400 feet.  The person in charge spoke about how they built model, how they failed, tried again, eventually getting it to work.  Everything we talk about in class.

In the future, I plan to show clips of various sports, especially basketball, as a way of having students name where they see math, or look at a clip from various car races, dog sled races, or snow machine races to identify the math.  At this point it is not important to identify the actual equations but it is important to look at identifying situations.

Another thing to do would be look at various buildings to show how architects use geometric shapes, parallel and perpendicular lines, arcs, etc as they design buildings.  This would be a perfect situation to bring up historical buildings such as the pyramid of Giza, the Roman Colosseum, or other ancient buildings to look at the math behind them.  Aside from showing the application of mathematics, it also ties other subjects to math, reading a cross curricular connection.

Since the only way in and out of the village is by plane, I could easily bring up the idea of the math involved in scheduling the flight from the cost of the plane, calculating the price of the individual ticket, employee salaries, benefits, the cost of fuel, and scheduling planes because one plane flies several times everyday.

This would be a perfect place to also discuss how professionals prepare estimates when you take in your car or other vehicle in for repair, or you are having the house painted, the roof redone, the floors done or anything like that.  I don't know if the local businesses use them here but I know in most places they do.  This activity also introduces the importance of having accurate estimations so you land the job.

I found a site on the internet with some free videos and some that require a subscription to view but all take time to discuss math and various situations such as designing sunglasses, playing the drums,  designing buildings in earthquake areas, making faster bikes, dancing, and so many other topics.  In addition, each video has worksheets to accompany each video and there are quite a few educator resources.

I'm hoping this helps students connect mathematical equations with real life.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.