SCORE Mathematics

 

Historical Mathematician Project

Project Timeline: 4 weeks (half in class, half independently)

Student Groups of 3-4

 

Men Mathematicians	Women Mathematicians
Benjamin Banneker   Blaise Pascal   Pythagoras  Carl Friedrich Gauss Sir Issaac Newton Pierre de Fermat	Sophie German   Hypatia of Alexandria  Maria Agnesi  Emmy Noether Sonya Kovalesvsky Mary Somerville

You must complete the following:

1. Research Paper: 3-5 page research paper that covers these areas:

a. Early Life

b. Education and Mathematical work (including the effect on our world and thought)

c. Later Life

d. Title Page

e. Bibliography of all sources used

f. The paper must be typed in 12 point font, doubled spaced with 1 inch margins. The research paper may include summaries of stories read in books. All members of the group must participate and contribute in research and writing.
 
Internet Resources:

• Mathematicians: http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/
• Women: http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/women.htm
• Math Quotations: http://math.furman.edu/~mwoodard/mquot.html
• Math Forum: http://forum.swarthmore.edu
• WomenII: http://www.cs.yale.edu/HTML/YALE/CS/HyPlans/tap/past-women.html

Other Excellent Resources:

AIMS Historical Figures Books: Volumes I, II, III: These books have lessons to do that relate to the mathematician.

Mathematicians Are People Too: Stories from the Lives of Great Mathematicians, Volumes I and II

2. Presentation: Each group will do a 7-10 minute presentation/lecture that will include:

a. Visuals: posters, overhead transparencies, PowerPoint presentation

b. Photo or drawing of the mathematician

c. A table sign designed by the group on 11" by 17" piece of paper. You may use the topic's last name only if you so chose.

d. Creativity plays a part in this presentation. Have fun with it. Use stories learned in research.

Extension (20 to 30 more minutes)
e. Design a lesson to introduce and teach the mathematical concept the topic is known to discover or prove.

  3. Project Evaluations:

Each group member will fill out a Self/Peer Evaluation Form that allows each student to critique the effort of your peers. I expect honesty. As the teacher, I will fill out a Teacher Evaluation Form on each student based on my observations during class work, comments from peers, research paper, and presentation. This final evaluation will determine your grade.
 

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