Encourage tinkering with ideas, relationships, connections. Set up situations where students have to find information not readily available in school texts. Provide opportunity for students to design open-ended explorations of the concept. Provide multiple options so students can plan a unique "proof" of learning.
Project topics will be presented and discussed. Timeline with completion dates will be given.
Objective: To allow students to personalize the material.
Activity: Give students project options and due dates. Discuss options with students.
I. RESEARCH PAPER suggested topics:
*Business applications of exponents or logarithms
*Use of exponents and logarithms in carbon dating
*Development of the Richter Scales
*History of logarithms (Napier)
*Another pre-approved topic
II. WORK OUT A LOGARITHMIC OR EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION — This project involves the application of an established function using logs or exponents. You will supply data for each type of problem and show the result in a change in data. For example, show how different interest rates yield different returns on the same investment. For added clarity, results could be graphed or illustrated. Some suggestions include:
*Growth and Decay
*Compound Interest
*Appreciation/Depreciation
*Decibel Computation
III. ILLUSTRATING EXPONENTIAL GROWTH — This project involves graphically and/or artistically representing some sort of exponential or logarithmic growth. This growth is not limited to established logarithmic functions. Examples include:
*Since the invention of the airplane our ability to go higher and higher into space has grown exponentially. In the few short years since the invention we have traveled millions and millions of miles into space. This growth could easily be graphed using interesting pictures or drawings.
*The number of hamburgers served in the U.S. by major restaurant chains has increased dramatically. This could also be illustrated graphically. *Your own pre-approved idea.
IV. CREATIVE IDEAS (Limited only by your imagination and our approval. Think of fun and exciting ways to illustrate logs and exponents.) Suggestions include:
*A poem about logs and/or exponents
*Song or rap about logs and/or exponents
*Video showing exponents and logs in use
*"Sales ad" showing the many uses of logs.
