Introduction
A WebQuest for 7-9 Grade Mathematics
Designed by Donna Clarke
Did you know we can thank the Florida Gators Football Team for the invention of Gatorade? During the summer of 1965 the coaches wanted to know why the football players were so affected by the heat. Tests performed on the players showed the loss of fluids and electrolytes as the cause. A drink was needed to replenish the fluids and carbohydarates lost during extreme exercise. So there you have it, an abbreviated version of the birth of "Gatorade" and its home on football fields and sports fields around the world.
The sales of sports drinks are an estimated 5.4 billion dollar industry. It's no wonder new drinks are constantly flooding the market. With so many new sports drinks on the market, what makes one different from another? How do you choose which is right for you? How important is taste to you ? What are the nurtients needed to provide fuel to the body and what percentage of these ingredients are in your drink?
Task
Within your group research and gather data comparing three different sports drinks (EXCEPT GATORADE). Determine the nutritional value and identify key components of the drink. What percentages of these key ingredients do they contain and how much does our body really need to replenish? Analyze and compare this data and share with your group members. Be prepared to present your findings as a group in the form of a Powerpoint. Each provide visuals that enhance and support your findings.
Objective: Student's will incorporate technology and math skills to present their findings on a topic they can relate to. Cross curricular disiplines will be required to complete the task. Such as Venn Diagram, Collecting and gathering data through research and use of technology.
Process
- In Groups of three, access Background Information about what the body needs to stay hydrated.
- I want your group to select three sports drinks (excluding Gatorade) of your choice. * These drinks are not to be confused with energy drinks such as Monster, 5Hour Energy...
- You and your group are to analyze the three different sports drinks. Compare the percentages of the ingredients (such as sugar, carbohydates, electrolytes, sodium, etc.). Lastly include each member's opinion of taste.
- Present your findings in the form of a short powerpoint you can share with the class. Your Powerpoint should contain a visual representation of your findings (see suggestion below) along with an explanation of what the data means. Include your group's choice for the best sports drink based on your findings.
How to Use a 3-Circle Venn Diagram
Suggested Sites for Sports Drinks:
Evaluation
Students will be evaluted as a group on the following rubric:
| CATEGORY | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Time-management | Routinely uses time well throughout the project to ensure things get done on time. Group does not have to adjust deadlines or work responsibilities because of this person\'s procrastination. | Usually uses time well throughout the project, but may have procrastinated on one thing. Group does not have to adjust deadlines or work responsibilities because of this person\'s procrastination. | Tends to procrastinate, but always gets things done by the deadlines. Group does not have to adjust deadlines or work responsibilities because of this person\'s procrastination. | Rarely gets things done by the deadlines AND group has to adjust deadlines or work responsibilities because of this person\'s inadequate time management. |
| Working with Others | Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Tries to keep people working well together. | Usually listens to, shares, with, and supports the efforts of others. Does not cause \"waves\" in the group. | Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others, but sometimes is not a good team member. | Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Often is not a good team player. |
| Focus on the task | Collected necessary data for three sports drinks. Data was thorough and well organized. | Collected necessary data for three sports drinks. Data was missing components. | Did not collect to necessary amount of data. Data was incomplete or disorganized. | No evidence of meaningful data collection. |
| PowerPoint Presentation | Findings were presented in a clear and visually appealing presentation. | Presentation lacked creativity and visual appeal. | Presentation lacked required elements. No evidence of research. | Presentation lacked all required elements. |
| Incorporation of Mathematical Modeling | Excellent use of mathematical processes to support their decision. Reasoning was explicitly stated in presentation. | Strong use of mathematical processes to support their decision. Some reasoning shown in presentation. | Some use of mathematical processes to support their decision. Lacked reasoning in presentation. | No mathematical reasoning evident. |
Conclusion
Upon completing this WebQuest, students will have explored the affects of sports drinks on the human body. They have researched and evaluated data in order to make an informed decision. Reasoning was used to support their mathematical conclusions and problem solving. Students used technology (websites/PowerPoint) to gather and communicate mathematical information.
To further their exploration, students should consider the affect of energy drinks on as a means of hydrating.
Getting Started with Energy Drinks
Credits
Image Links:
Gatorade: http://ltldigitalart.deviantart.com/art/Gatorade-Product-Shot-Unofficia…
Vitamin Water: http://tv.greenmedinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Vitamin-Water.jpg
Venn Diagram: http://www.classroomjr.com/printable-blank-venn-diagrams/3-circle-venn-…
Common Core Standards:
Standard 4.5 Mathematical Processes
- 4.5 A Problem Solving
- 4.5 B Communication
- 4.5 C Connections
- 4.5 D Reasoning
- 4.5 E Representations
- 4.5 F Technology