Introduction
Pi has been part of mathematical history, indeed the history of the world as a whole for at least 4000 years. Not only is Pi the name of the character from the book we are studying, it is also the name of an important mathematical constant used for many mathematical calculations such as with circles. Something that old has affected the lives of all or us in many ways. The cars we drive, the buildings we live in, the furniture around us, as well as natural elements we see each day use pi in their growth and development.
“My name is Piscine Molitor Patel, known to all as… Pi Patel. For good measure I added π = 3.14 and I drew a large circle, which I then sliced in two with a diameter, to evoke that basic lesson of geometry… And so, in that Greek letter that looks like a shack with a corrugated tin roof, in that elusive, irrational number with which scientists try to understand the universe, I found refuge”(23-24).
Martel, Yann. Life of Pi: A Novel. New York: Harcourt, 2001. Print.
Task
You will explore the history and uses of pi from its inception to the present day. After you have learned more than you ever realized was written about this constant, you will help others learn also. With your group members you will write a summary of your given topic to be presented to your fellow classmates to help them understand the importance of pi.
Process
Use the handout and number assigned to you in class as a starting point for your research. Then decide who will be the timekeeper, task manager, recorder and reporter for your group. Use relevant information from the following websites to develop your short presentation. You may use additional reliable outside sources if necessary. Remember you are the expert for your assigned history topic and must understand it well enough to explain to your peers.
http://www.cecm.sfu.ca/~pborwein/ - look for the Pi Pages
http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/HistTopics/Pi_through_the_ages.html
http://www.pims.math.ca/pi/index.html- a example of a written summary of a part of the history of pi
http://www.wpdpi.com/index.shtml
http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/HistTopics/Pi_through_the_ages.html- pi through the ages
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ4CP0vTgEE]
All of these resources have links to a multitude of other pi sites.
Evaluation
Your expert group will present a small 5 minute presentation (glogster page) to the rest of your class. Your group will be evaluated by the following rubric. Be sure to include all of these points in your large paper presentation.
|
Criteria |
Advanced |
Proficient |
Unsatisfactory |
|
Content |
Presentation/page includes map and people group or person. |
Presentation/page includes map or people group or person, but not both aspects. |
Presentation/page does not contain map or people group or person. |
|
Visual |
Presentation/page includes pictures and words that help relate to the topic. |
Presentation/page contains only words or only pictures. |
Presentation/page contains only words and/or pictures that do not relate to the topic. |
|
Group Interaction |
Each member completed his or her task. |
Only one or two members control the group and the other members do not contribute to the group work. |
Students do not interact or work together to complete the presentation. No communication or collaboration. |
|
Credibility |
Presentation contains only factual information. |
Presentation contains one piece of false information. |
Presentation contains two or more pieces of false information. |
*Once you have presented your topic, you will place a pushpin on the class's timeline to represent the date of this historical person or people group.
Here is an example of a summary of a historical aspect of the history of pi made in glogster.
Retrieved from: http://www.glogster.com/katiekinch15/the-history-of-pi/g-6l84ll9m062js64j1p394a0
Conclusion
This exploration of pi has made you an expert on the topic. Spread the word everywhere you roam about the importance and excitement of pi!
Teacher Page
Students will use the class's Edmodo site to access this webquest.