Algebra describes the world we live in, the non-human, non-emotive, physical world (if you kick a table I promise you it won't take offense or be in a mood with you, your teacher will though and probably your classmates too). You might not, now, in your life, have had any contact whatsoever with algebra, but it's controlling your mobile phone signal, your TV waves, and computer programmers are using it to make the games you play on your Xbox, Wii, Playstation etc. Master algebra and you've completed one of the essential steps to really understanding the world you live in. When you've finished everything, try the word document, "rearranging formulas" button below.

Why we like this activity....
It's fun, creative and hopefullly you'll find out some info about big wind farms and speed limits in different countries
that you didn't already know. Moreover, if you don't understand what algebra's really all about it might be hard to
keep the motivation and patience to work through the harder technical sides of it, if you haven't got a clear vision of
exactly where algebra/formulas can take you . . . and the answer to where it can take you, well, . . . just about
anywhere you want to go . .

How this activity can be used....
Just click on the flipchart or powerpoint button above (depending on whether you've got promethean activstudio or
microsoft office) and get surfing the web. Two or three images per formula is best, and try to make them interesting
please. The world is a really interesting and diverse place, it's only the little worlds we restrain our minds to that are
sometimes boring . . . The word document "rearranging formulas" follows on once you've completed the
flipchart/powerpoint. I find the "Using Formulae" activity follows on well from this one, but it depends on you/your calss.

What to expect when using this activity, from our experience...
To be surprised by just how much you knew, how creative you and your friends can be, how actually, formulas are
all around you. Next time you look at a train zooming past, a car, a bicycle's wheel turning, the shape of building,
why don't you call up in your mind the formula and ask yourself what measurements you'd need to work out . . well,
whatever it is you want really . .

Extra notes

 

Author/Date Oliver Bowles 17/10/08

Credits