Review of a math 9 polyhedra project created by Susan Gerofsky

Experience:

Researching the four topics was very interesting although obtaining information for part one was difficult. Also the mathematics involved for some parts is too complicated for a grade nine to understand. No guidance as to the weighting of parts a, b, and c is given which could lead to some groups putting emphasis on the biography and others on the mathematical ideas. Making the origami model was fun for those of us who enjoy art projects; however this task is frustrating for those who do not.

Overall we found this project interesting but dated. There was no relationship with today’s world and we question the value this project has beyond providing interesting facts.

Benefits:

• Students will learn interesting facts through research and from peers rather than their teacher
• History is incorporated into the classroom, enriching the learning experience
• Students will see how mathematical ideas can extend into the arts and architecture, making mathematics seem less isolated as a subject
• Learning about mathematicians, connecting math to real people can spark interest and provide comfort to those who may see the subject as alien
• Allowing students to create and thus touch and experience in real life the Platonic solids allows them to realise their simplicity 

Weaknesses:

• It is unclear as to why some people work with partners and some alone to write the paper
• There are no specifics on whether each person writes about a different part or all contribute to every part, writing an essay with someone else is not easy
• Each person has to make an origami model, time consuming & some students may struggle with this, not beneficial, there needs to be more of a point to making them
• Other than introducing polyhedra and some history the intended learning outcomes of this project are not obvious
• No specifics for what the presentation should look like
• Students may not connect with mathematicians from the past
• The math involved in some sections is too complex for the grade level
• No connections to the lives of the students
• Group work, especially of this nature, is very time consuming

Uses:

• Introducing the class to polyhedra, good start to 3D geometry
• Can be incorporated into volume, or surface area units
• Allowing the class to experience group work and obtain skills in researching
• Incorporating history into the math classroom

Modifications & Extensions:

• Only one student per group makes an origami model, the teacher can bring in the fifth one. They show the template to the other group members before gluing so that all students can see how it is constructed and benefit
• All students should be involved in the research, then two can work together to produce the written work, one can present and one can make the model so that everyone contributes, if they want to change that they can but they must inform the teacher of their roles
• Find modern day uses for polyhedral, compare with historical
• Research more than one of the areas or people then groups can compare
• Presentation only, no essay
• Using paper templates students can cut out all kinds of regular polygons with the same side length, then try to create all kinds of regular 3D objects by gluing the regular polygons together
• Find patterns in the construction of the solids
• Use Geomag for constructing the solids (stick magnets with iron balls, easier and more fun to use than paper and glue)