Researching a specific use of Trigonometry
In this mini lesson, you'll be researching a specific use of Trigonometry in the real world. It may be a career, application, or field of research. After choosing and researching your real world use, you'll be prepared to create a presentation about it in the third mini lesson.
Essential Question
What can Trigonometry be used for in real life? How is this ever going to be useful to me??
GSE Analytic Geometry Content Standards
Unit 2: Right Triangle Trigonometry
Define trigonometric ratios and solve problems involving right triangles
MGSE9-12.G.SRT.6
Understand that by similarity, side ratios in right triangles are properties of the angles in the triangle, leading to definitions of trigonometric ratios for acute angles.
MGSE9-12.G.SRT.7
Explain and use the relationship between the sine and cosine of complementary angles.
MGSE9-12.G.SRT.8
Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles in applied problems.
Define trigonometric ratios and solve problems involving right triangles
MGSE9-12.G.SRT.6
Understand that by similarity, side ratios in right triangles are properties of the angles in the triangle, leading to definitions of trigonometric ratios for acute angles.
MGSE9-12.G.SRT.7
Explain and use the relationship between the sine and cosine of complementary angles.
MGSE9-12.G.SRT.8
Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles in applied problems.
Principles of Inquiry Based Learning
- Authenticity
The first element of strong inquiry is an authentic learning task where students are engaged in work that is worthy of their time and attention, is personally relevant to them and deeply connected to the world in which they live. The development of authentic learning tasks for students means first and foremost situating learning in rich places and contexts (think: topics, topos, topographies) where curriculum outcomes can brought to life with real world connections, stories and relevance. - Understanding
The challenge for educators is to make use of the engagement that is made possible through authentic, hands-on learning in ways that develop deep understanding of the subject at hand. - Technology
Technology allows both teachers and students immediate access to current information, statistics and data on a given topic. As finding information is one of the most regular activities students use digital technologies for developing critical information literacy skills is of the utmost importance. - Expertise
When students are engaged in authentic, real world tasks, issues or problems, a natural outcome will be developing connections with experts as part of the learning process. - Citizenship
The final element of strong, inquiry-based learning involves creating space in the learning for students to consider their citizenship activities in the communities they participate in, be it their classroom, school, local community, city, country or beyond.
Resources
To get you started to think about real world uses of Trig, think about contextual word problems we've solved in the past. Use a combination of resources including your notes, quizzes, warmups, and tests. Here is also a curation of resources including solving Trigonometry problems and contextual world problems.
Solving Trigonometry Equations
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Discussion / Collaboration
Using TodaysMeet, go here to post the specific uses or fields you're interested in pursuing. You may either partner up with someone or work alone for the remainder of the mini lessons. If you decide to partner up, let me know when you post your final research topic.
Assessment
Once you have decided on a final topic of research, post here to share the information with me. If you are working in a group, let me know that as well.
Finally, create 5 contextual word problems involving trigonometry and your specific area. You will also solve these. I suggest creating a mixture of problems that include finding a missing side, finding a missing angle, and using trigonometric properties.
You will write out your 5 words problems and turn them into me at the end of class.
Finally, create 5 contextual word problems involving trigonometry and your specific area. You will also solve these. I suggest creating a mixture of problems that include finding a missing side, finding a missing angle, and using trigonometric properties.
You will write out your 5 words problems and turn them into me at the end of class.
Peer review of created problems
I will create a list of the created word problems and give a copy to each student (they will be anonymous). Each student will grade each problem based on three criteria:
- Does the problem make sense?
- Is it applicable?
- Is it engaging
Planning your Presentation
First, you and your partner need to decide which online tool you're going to use to create your Web 2.0 presentation. Here is a curation of Web 2.0 presentation tools. It is also embedded below:
Curation of Web 2.0 Presentation Tools
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Feature Comparison
If you notice, there are a lot of choices!! I also made a chart comparing the features of each tool. Choose wisely!
Creating Your Presentation
Create your presentation with your partner describing your topic (career, application, or field of research). Explain how trigonometry can and will be used during your topic. Remember to keep the audience engaged! We will be extending our learning by using 2 contextual word problems. You will choose 2 of the 5 problems you created and work them out for the class. If you partnered up with another student, you will each work out one problem. Remember, that you may have to answer questions so you should be an expert on your subject.
Presenting
We will take class time to present. Each person or group should take no more than 10 minutes for their presentation. This includes time to work out problems and field any questions from the class. You will be graded on the below rubric.