Parabolas Exist Where??
Abstract help
Prior to this lesson, students should have reasonable understanding of graphing a quadratic function. Students should also have experience utlilizing the internet search program.
The outcome of this lesson is to recognize the use of parabolas is architecture and to be able to calculate the approximate constant of variation.
The outcome of this lesson is to recognize the use of parabolas is architecture and to be able to calculate the approximate constant of variation.
Student Activity help
Day 1 - Start a class discussion on "Where have you seen the use of the parabolic shape?" Some examples may be: suspension brideges, arcs, McDonald's arches, etc. You may have to lead the discussion towards domes and satellite dishes. This discussion should only take about 5 minutes. With these thoughts in mind, have the students access the internet and research the parabolic shape in useful construction(suspension bridges) art form(McDonald's arches) and recreation use(parabolic solar cooker). Don't tell them what to look up, they will find these interesting sites all by themselves(mine found the parabolic solar cooker and the flight pattern of a gravity defying test plane!!). Let them spend the class period just researching and finding neat-o stuff on the computer, this will generate more excitement about graphing quadratic functions than any lecture you could ever present.
Day 2 -- With the information from previous days research, the students will calculate the constant of variation.
Day 2 -- With the information from previous days research, the students will calculate the constant of variation.
Assessment help
Check students individual work for accuracy of the constant of variation based on their internet information.