BC Education - Essentials of Mathematics 12

Essentials of Mathematics 12 - Design and Measurements

This sub-organizer contains the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will analyse objects, shapes and processes to solve cost and design problems

It is expected that students will:

analyze objects shown in "exploded" format
draw objects in "exploded" format
solve problems involving estimation and costing for objects, shapes, or processes when a design is given
design an object within a specified budget

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

In this unit, students will have opportunities to use geometric ideas in design and measurement of 3-D objects. Combined with their skills in using technology and problem solving, these design and measurement skills will have broad real-life applications.

Ask students to bring to class examples of illustrations or diagrams in "exploded" format. (These are available from hardware stores, home improvement stores, or lumber yards.) Have them choose an object and illustrate it in the same format.
Invite a builder, architect, interior designer, or other appropriate professional to visit the classroom. Have students prepare and ask questions about his or her measurement techniques, design and/or construction procedures, and "tricks of the trade."
Have each student design a 3-D object (e.g., picnic table, bird house, dog house, item of clothing) within a specified budget. Have them consider the following steps in completing the project:
- set a budget
- make a design plan
- compile a list of materials
- perform a cost comparison of the material by researching at least two suppliers
- if necessary, adjust materials list to lower costs within the proposed budget
  Ask students to present the design project to the rest of the class.

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

Project design and modeling are a powerful application of mathematical theory to everyday phenomena. Students demonstrate their knowledge of geometric principles, scale factors, measuring devices and measurement concepts by solving problems involving scale drawing, area, perimeter, surface area, and volume.

Observe

While students are working on measurement activities, circulate and provide feedback on:
- their abilities to match the correct measurement formula to a given figure
- the extent to which they consider the reasonableness of their answers
- their overall understanding of measurement concepts in solving problems
- their ability to provide an "exploded" view of the sketch of an object
- their methods for calculating the cost of a design

Collect

Review students’ written work in solving measurement problems for evidence that they can explain the method used in finding the cost of a design, and solve various types of problems based on the interpretation of measurements from a blueprint or 3-D sketch.

Presentation

As students complete a project to design and analyze the cost of an object given a specified budget and present results to the class, look for evidence that they can:
- logically and clearly present their work
- model an object accurately
- provide calculations to support their solution to the problem

Question

Ask students to critique the presentation of a guest speaker, comment on the usefulness of the "tricks of the trade" and analyse the degree to which they applied these tricks to their own projects.

RECOMMENDED LEARNING RESOURCES

Comprehensive learning resources for this course are currently under development. As an interim measure, schools are encouraged to use the teacher-developed learning resources distributed to schools (student and teacher resources). Please note that the student materials require photocopying for student use.

Print Materials

Math Projects: Organization, Implementation, and Assessment

Software

Math Tools

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