Project #3: Mystery of Pi Presentations

Overview
In this class project, we will investigate the world's most famous irrational number, pi. All irrational numbers are neverending, but pi is the most intriguing since it represents the fundamental notion of perimeter (circumference) of a circle. With faster and better computers, the first several million digits have now been discovered. We will explore many questions about pi including: Can any pattern be seen in the digits of pi? What methods can be used to calculate the n+1 digit of pi, given the first n digits.

Monday 3/10
1. Write down everything you know about the number pi. (i.e. it is approximately equal to 3.14)
2. Explore the following website: The Pi Pages
3. Homework: Write 2-4 paragraphs describing pi. Indicate what you already knew and what you learned from this website.

Tuesday 3/11
1. Use a popular search engine to find two other websites which discuss pi. What else did you learn? Is there any contradictory information amongst the three websites? If so, what contradictions are there?
2. We will discuss and outline our research so far.
3. Homework: A fourth grade teacher at our nearby elementary school will be introducing pi to her students for the first time. Write a lesson plan for this lesson.

Wednesday 3/12
1. Two randomly chosen students will perform a 15-minute demonstration of the lesson they created while the rest of the class critiques it.
2. For more advanced students, we will create a press conference demonstrating our discoveries of pi on Friday. First, we will review what we learned about press conferencing two weeks ago.
3. Homework: Using the information indicated on your returned homework, write a question and answer for our press conference.

Thursday 3/13
1. 30 minutes - Half the class will write the script for the press conference and the other half of the class will set up the room.
2. 10 minutes - rehearse press conference

Friday 3/14
1. 5 minutes - set up for press conference
2. 10 minutes - record press conference
3. 10 minutes - fix up the classroom
4. 5 minutes - watch the video of the press conference
5. 10 minutes - summarize our newfound knowledge of pi
6. Homework (Assessment): Reflect on the press conference. In 4 to 7 sentences, discuss what you learned through this process, both aboutthe number pi and how it is researched.


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Page Created: 3/9/03