Flow Rate of a River
Description: Students will first choose a cross section of a river. They will measure the depth at equal intervals across the cross section and then use their data to calculate the area. This will be done using two different methods, the Trapezoid Rule and a line of best fit. The two areas should be similar. Average them to get an average area. Then they will choose a length of the river going downstream. They will record the average speed of the current by timing how long it takes for a ping pong ball to travel the length that was measured. They will record this 10 times and then find the average speed. Then using the average area and the average speed, students will calculate the flow rate of the entire river. Finally, students will research the flow rate of a nearby well-known river and compare flow rates.
Math does not always have to be a series of steps that are solved to create an answer. It is so much more than that. Hands-on math activities like the Flow Rate of a River can lend themselves in the classroom to get students involved and help them understand the concepts and deeper meanings of math. It is also fun too! Math is everywhere in the world around us. Students do not realize how important math is in their lives. By incorporating real life situations into math lessons, it will provide students with a building block for understanding how important math is and why they need to learn it. Hands on math activities or projects like these can enhance your students' experience in math class in a positive way.
Description: Students will first choose a cross section of a river. They will measure the depth at equal intervals across the cross section and then use their data to calculate the area. This will be done using two different methods, the Trapezoid Rule and a line of best fit. The two areas should be similar. Average them to get an average area. Then they will choose a length of the river going downstream. They will record the average speed of the current by timing how long it takes for a ping pong ball to travel the length that was measured. They will record this 10 times and then find the average speed. Then using the average area and the average speed, students will calculate the flow rate of the entire river. Finally, students will research the flow rate of a nearby well-known river and compare flow rates.
Math does not always have to be a series of steps that are solved to create an answer. It is so much more than that. Hands-on math activities like the Flow Rate of a River can lend themselves in the classroom to get students involved and help them understand the concepts and deeper meanings of math. It is also fun too! Math is everywhere in the world around us. Students do not realize how important math is in their lives. By incorporating real life situations into math lessons, it will provide students with a building block for understanding how important math is and why they need to learn it. Hands on math activities or projects like these can enhance your students' experience in math class in a positive way.
flow_rate_of_a_river_worksheet.docx | |
File Size: | 26 kb |
File Type: | docx |
flow_rate_of_a_river_powerpoint.pptx | |
File Size: | 5928 kb |
File Type: | pptx |