Projects, Fun Sites and Field Trips for High School

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High School Math Projects on the Internet

• Alice (TERC Collaborative Inquiry Testbed)
  An NSF testbed to explore the impact of telecommunications technology on teaching and learning in a variety of projects. Within each project teachers and students use resources for gathering, reporting and sharing data and findings. Key to these shared purposes and resources is the Alice Network Software that TERC is designing to facilitate collaborative inquiry. The software is an integrated suite of software tools, including a word processor, data table, graphing and mapping utilities, and telecommunications. Prototype software running on both Macintosh and IBM platforms is currently in use in multiple testbeds, including TERC's Global Laboratory.

• Ask Dr. Math!
  The Swat Team is Here! Ask Dr. Math is an Internet project based at Swarthmore College and staffed mainly by Swarthmore students, staff, and faculty. Students are encouraged to send math questions to dr.math@mathforum.org.

• CHANCE Database Welcome Page
  Materials designed to be helpful in teaching a CHANCE case study course based on current chance events as reported in daily newspapers and current journals and to supplement work in a more traditional probability or statistics course that introduces current events.

• Community of Explorers
  The Community of Explorers is studying technology for building an electronic community of teachers and students. It is an approach to wide-area networks that supports teachers in exploring new approaches to teaching high school science, and provides students with inquiry environments for tackling fundamental concepts in physics and biology. Project researchers and teams of teachers in California and Massachusetts are investigating the use of computer modeling, data acquisition, and the Internet to help students understand science better. Using the electronic mail, news, gopher and World-Wide-Web capabilities, members communicate, collaborate, solve problems and develop new learning materials. Topics: Kinematics; Galilean Relative Motion -> Special Relativity; Mendelian Genetics; Photosynthesis; Physiology.

• Family Math
  A program to encourage underrepresented groups (especially girls and minority students) to enter careers that use mathematics. A Family Math course lasts approximately 6 weeks. At every session, approximately 25 people (counting parents and children) come to a supportive agency in their community. A leader teaches the group some enjoyable games that the families can play at home. Usually, there are about 4 "openers" to play with as families arrive, and then three or four family games, taking a total of about 90 minutes. Families go home, play the games, and come back again to learn some more games and activities.

• The Fractal Microscope (NCSA)
  An interactive tool designed by the Education Group at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) for exploring the Mandelbrot set and other fractal patterns. By combining supercomputing and networks with the simple interface of a Macintosh or X-Windows workstation, students and teachers from all grade levels can engage in discovery-based exploration. The program is designed to run in conjunction with NCSA imaging tools such as DataScope and Collage. With this program students can enjoy the art of mathematics as they master the science of mathematics. This focus can help one address a wide variety of topics in the K-12 curriculum including scientific notation, coordinate systems and graphing, number systems, convergence, divergence, and self-similarity.

• Gallery of Interactive On-Line Geometry
  Interactive On-Line Geometry from The Geometry Center at the Univ. of Minnesota (see below). Interactive programs: QuasiTiler (nonperiodic tilings), Lafite (discrete symmetry groups), Teichmuller Navigator (Teichmuller space), Cyberview (3D viewer), Unifweb (Riemann surfaces), and Kali (symmetric patterns).

• Geometry Forum Problem of the Week/Month
  The Problem of the Week (POW) and Project of the Month (POM) are a regular feature of the Geometry Forum, and provide students an opportunity to answer questions and receive feedback and recognition from the Forum staff.

• The Great Penny Toss
  "We, the 6th grade students at Ralph Bunche School, need your help in our math experiment. Directions: Take 10 pennies. Put them in a cup, shake them up, throw them out and count how many heads there are... We'll put your data in a spreadsheet and see what we can find."

• High School Student Math Mentors: Elementary Problem of the Week (Ruth Carver)
  High school students will compose challenging problems for elementary students to solve each week. Good problems should be able to be solved on different levels and could have more than one correct solution. Students will reply to solutions posted by the elementary students and will act as problem solving mentors, giving help as needed. Students will increase their own problem solving abilities while helping younger students discover the joys of solving challenging problems. Service awards and an Online Honor Roll will highlight the involvement of individual students and schools.

• Interactive Math Text Project
  Gopher server for The Interactive Mathematics Text Project (IMTP), which has as its goal the improvement of mathematics learning through the use of computer-based interactive texts. The IMTP holds summer workshops on the use and authoring of texts, and supports selected individuals as text developers. Major funding from the IBM Corporation.

• Learning Through Collaborative Visualization
  The CoVis project in K-12 science education attempts to transform science learning to better resemble the authentic practice of science by enabling high school students to join with other students at remote locations in collaborative work groups and to communicate with university researchers and other scientific experts. Participating students study atmospheric and environmental sciences--including topics in meteorology and climatology--through project-based activities using state of the art scientific visualization software.

• MathMol --K-12 Mathematics and Molecules
  Also K12 MathMol Home Page. Molecular Modeling is one of the fastest growing fields in science. It may vary from building and visualizing molecules (short animation) to performing complex calculations on molecular systems. Using molecular modeling scientists will be better able to design new and more potent drugs against diseases such as Cancer, AIDS, and Arthritis. Short movies show the mathematics in molecular modeling: 1) fullerene molecule an icosahedron; bond angle formed by 3 consecutive carbon atoms in a benzene ring; dihedral angle shown for the hexane molecule; equation E=kT where k is the slope of the line; relationship between coulombic energy and distance; torsion bond energy of a molecule modeled by a periodic function; ammonia molecule showing symmetry.

• MathMagic
  MathMagic is a K-12 telecommunications project developed in El Paso, Texas. It provides strong motivation for students to use computer technology while increasing problem-solving strategies and communications skills. MathMagic posts challenges in each of four categories (k-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12) to trigger each registered team to pair up with another team and engage in a problem-solving dialog. When an agreement has been reached, one solution is posted for every pair. Hosted by the Geometry Forum.

• National Science and Technology Week (April, 1995)
  Information and activities to help explore science and technology at school and at home.

• NSF Grants Database
  Search (by keyword) the grants database of the U.S. Government National Science Foundation.

• PBS MATHLINE
  The Public Broadcasting System's Math Service. Combining computing and telecommunications technologies, public television offers interactive data services in addition to interactive video and voice services for education based on the mathematics standards set by the the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Mission, Middle School Math Project (MSMP); Math Electronic Resource Center (MERC); Facts Sheet; FAQ; How to Subscribe; Staff.

• Virtual Science and Mathematics Fair '95
  Announcing a Science and Mathematics Fair in the fall of 1995 on the World Wide Web. Participation is open to school children (grades K-12) and students of any age studying for initial teacher certification. Participants, individually or in teams, will create science or mathematics projects (or projects that integrate the two) and present those projects in the "virtual Gymnasium" of Washington State University's on-line school.

Internet Field Trips for High School Students

• Abwenzi (Friends), US-Africa pen pal documentary
  This Internet exhibition describes the relationship between pen pals who are children in Aspen, Colorado and Malawi, Central Africa. Text and pictures from a documentary film about Malawi. Pictures: Malawi, Aspen, Abwenzi, Pen pal pictures, Food, Lake Malawi, Lake Malawi National Park, Hippos, Elephant, Leopards, Zebras, Hyenas, Games & toys, Dances.

• Anne Frank
  A site created to promote understanding of both the Holocaust and the life of Anne Frank. One of its main purposes is to help stop racism and prejudice (of all races and religions) today.

• Around-the-World Journal
  A 9-month trip through 26 countries. 260K of text and more than 120 color pictures.

• Discovery of a Palaeolithic painted cave at Vallon - Pont-d'Arc (Ardèche) /
  Découverte d'une grotte ornée paléolithique à Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (Ardèche)
  Text in English and French. Discovery of a paleolithic cave site in the south of France, with drawings and paintings equalling or surpassing those of Lascaux. A hundred or more pictures of animals - mammoths, rhinoceros, big cats, horses, bears, stags, and more - have been found. This site features small/expandable color photographs of the cave walls.

• The Electronic Zoo
  A List of Animal-Related Computer Resources (Internet/Bitnet Mailing Lists, Gophers, World Wide Web Sites, Mail Servers, Usenet Newsgroups, FTP Archives, Commercial Online Services, and Bulletin Board Systems).

• Exploratorium
  Stills, movies, sounds, and other experimental items from the digital library of San Francisco's Exploratorium museum.

• EXPO Ticket Office
  An electronic worldwide exhibition. Currently most exhibitions on EXPO are built out of bytes donated by the U.S. Library of Congress. Sample exhibits: Vatican Exhibit, Soviet Archive Exhibit, Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit, 1492 Exhibit, Paleontology Exhibit, Spalato Exhibit. Restaurant, Post Office, catalogs.

• Field Museum of Natural History
  The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois, is an educational institution concerned with the diversity and relationships in nature and among cultures. It provides collection-based research and learning for greater public understanding and appreciation of the world in which we live. Its collections, public learning programs and research are inseparably linked to serve a diverse public of various ages, background and knowledge.

• Field Trips by Subject (Cleveland State Univ.)
  The K12.ETC Subject Index provides links to resources usable by K12 students in a variety of different subject areas: Art, Business, Futures, Language Arts/reading, Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Klingon, Spanish), Mathematics, Science, Social Studies (Government, History), Student Life.

• The Firehouse Museum
  Displays a large collection of fire-fighting equipment and memorabilia from across the country and around the world. The story of fire-fighting is displayed in memorabilia, photographs and equipment. Photo exhibit: Overview of the Museum; Steam Fire Engine; The 1841 Lancaster Fire Engine; The La Jolla #1; 1938 Seagrave Fire Engine; Fire Alarm Boxes and Fire Extinguishers; 1858 Rumsey; Deming from the 1880's. [Don't put in search doc - already in edfield.]

• Footsteps (U.S. travelogue)
  In the footsteps of Robert Frost, Martin Luther King, Jr., Elvis, Jefferson Davis, Robert Oppenheimer, Henry Ford ... a mini-travelogue by Philip Greenspun, author of Travels with Samantha, and now publisher of the Web Travel Review. Highlights of this story include a journey through the Deep South, a visit to the U.S.'s only concentration camp for Jews, photographs of New England fall foliage, golden Aspen trees in Colorado, and animals in the New Orleans Zoo, and the remarkably peculiar Henry Ford Museum. 30 pages of text and 410 JPEG photographs.

• Frank Lloyd Wright in Wisconsin
  One of the 20th century's greatest architects. His buildings represent some of the world's most important architecture. An adaption of the Frank Lloyd Wright Heritage Association Tour Brochure, with maps, photographs of buildings, and descriptions of tours to take when visiting them, a page of Wisconsin events that celebrate Wright's 128th birthday, and a multimedia gallery.

• Franklin Institute Science Museum
  "Exhibits, resources, and the fun of a museum visit brought to your desktop." You have access to: in-depth multimedia virtual exhibits, science programs and demonstrations, a publications library, visitor services, recommended resource locations to guide you as you travel in search of virtual educational experiences, and online user services to answer your technical questions and let you communicate with the system administrator.

• Grand Canyon National Park
  Explorations of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River (State of Arizona, USA). General information; How to get there; Guided tour; History; Weather; Maps; Backcountry trails; Photographs; Services; Books, guides and other reference material; Other things to see and do in the area; Make your visit to Grand Canyon National Park a green one.

• Grand Canyon Trip
  A River Trip, complete with maps, photographs, sounds, and movies (a text version too). This multimedia journey is intended to simply provide a glimpse of the river corridor and share some the joy of being in the grandest of all canyons.

• Honolulu Community College Dinosaur Exhibit
  A unique, free, permanent exhibit of dinosaur fossils available for public viewing. These "fossils" are replicas from the originals at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, which boasts one of the finest and largest collections of dinosaur fossils in the world. Triceratops Skull; Tyrannosaurus rex Head; Tyrannosaurus rex Skull; Tyrannosaurus rex Leg; Stegosaurus Skeleton; Baby Hypselosaurus Sculpture; Iguanadon/Deinonychus Sculptures; Other Internet resources.

• HyperDOC: NLM History of Medicine Division
  National Library of Medicine - Department of Health & Human Services (U.S.A.) Online Images from the History of Medicine (a searchable database of nearly 60,000 images from the prints and photographs collection). Online Exhibitions - New Frontiers in Health Communication (Brochure Prepared for the Sesquicentennial of the NLM, 1986); Cesarean Section -- A Brief History (1993); Paracelsus, Five Hundred Years; Three American Exhibits (in collaboration with the Libraries of Hahnemann University and the Washington University School of Medicine, 1993); The Art of Medicine at the 21st Century [Work by May Lesser] (1994); Perez on Medicine: The Whimsical Art of Jose Perez (1994).

• Imaginarium On-Line
  "Imaginarium is a unique, specialty toy store where children and adults are encouraged to explore and discover together. Customers find a wide range of high quality products, an experienced staff of 'Toyologists', and a bright, colorful store environment."

• Journey North
  A Global Study of Wildlife Migration. From Groundhog Day until summer vacation, 1995. Report Wildlife Sightings; Wildlife Migrations; Spring's Journey North; Classroom Materials; Teacher-Teacher Feature; Guest Book. Via e-mail, gopher, or the Web.

• Journey through Yosemite (1901 stereograms tour by Patch H.S.)
  A selection stereographs - popular during the 19th and early 20th century as a visual education tool and entertainment medium. Stereographs are paired photographs which recreate the sensation of three-dimensional vision when viewed through a stereoscope. Stereoscopes were widely marketed by several large American publishing companies at the turn of the century. Stereo views simulated three-dimensional reality in infinite detail, depicting great events, foreign cultures, architectural monuments, industrial progress, and prominent people.

• Kelsey Museum Educational and Outreach Programs
  Kelsey Museum of Archeology, Univ. of Michigan (Ann Arbor). Two exhibit galleries: Greek and Roman material, Near Eastern. Excavation sponsored: the Roman Site of Karanis, Egypt. Maps of the Ancient World; other On-Line Resources for Classical Art and Archaeology.

• Live From Antarctica
  A Passport to Knowledge project designed to allow students and teachers the opportunity to experience what life is like in the coldest place on the planet, Antarctica. An electronic trip via: interactive television, computer networks and classroom activities to an exciting field of science. It will provide students and teachers the opportunity to ask questions of the scientists in Antarctica and respond to their challenge questions. It also will provide links to international research centers where students can find full color pictures of penguins (127k), and see computer images of the ozone hole (80k) from current data .

• National Civil Rights Museum
  Located at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated April 4, 1968. The Museum's goal is to instill in viewers an appreciation of the history, struggle, and the important events and personalities of the Civil Rights movement.See the people who have helped shape the civil rights movement: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, James Meredith and others. Learn why the struggle is important for everyone, not just African-Americans.

• Sea World and Busch Gardens Information Data Base
  Animal Information Data Base, Teacher's Guides, Shamu TV: Sea World and Busch Gardens Video Classroom. Classroom teachers may make reprographic copies of worksheets for noncommercial use.

• TENET's recommended Field Trips
  Take a field trip to a museum, another city, state, country, or world. 1492: An Ongoing Voyage; Expo WWW Exhibition Series; Early instruments of the Institute of Physics of Naples; Museum of Paleontology; The Rhone Family Papers (1886 to 1971) Exhibit; Texas, Texans, and the Alamo; The Vatican Library Exhibit; Malin's Antarctic Research; Journey North.

• Tour of China
  Map of China; General Information, specific information and photographs illustrating Anhui, Beijing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Hubei, Henan, Hunan, Inner Mongolia(Nei Monggu), Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shandong, Shanghai, Shan1xi1, Shan3xi1, Sichuan, Tianjin, Tibet(Xizang), Xinjiang, Yunnan, Zhejiang.

• Tour of Rome and Roman Churches
  Vatican City, Complete tour of the Sistine Chapel, Raphael Stanzas and Loggias, Vatican Museums.

• Treasures of the Czars
  In partnership with the Florida International Museum, presents a virtual museum tour of Treasures of the Czars. This project is designed to give you a taste of the actual exhibit that includes more than 250 artifacts from 300 years of Russian history. Featured at the new Florida International Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida until June 11, 1995.

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
  "The main task of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is to present the facts of the Holocaust, to tell the American public as clearly and comprehensively as possible what happened in that darkest chapter of human history. To this end, the Museum has reconstructed the history of the Holocaust through multiple media: the meaningful arrangement of objects as well as the presentation of documentary photographic and cinematographic materials." General Information for Visiting the Museum; Background Information; Educational Programs; the Research Institute; Calendar of Community Programs at the Museum; Association of Holocaust Organizations.

• University of California Museum of Paleontology
  A server designed to explore the possibilities of an interactive natural history museum through the Internet. The Museum's collections are ranked 4th in America in size, and include protists, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates.

• Visit Egypt
  All outsiders usually know about Egypt is the pyramids, the sphinx, and camels. The aim of this page is to take you on a tour of the different parts of Egypt. Cairo, Northern Coast, Red Sea Coast (Eastern Coast), Sinai, Western Desert, Upper Egypt. Map of Egypt.

• VolcanoWorld Home Page
  Draws extensively on remote sensing images (AVHRR, Landsat TM, Magellan, Gloria, etc) and other data collections, relating each image to geologic processes, and encouraging users to analyze images with provided algorithms. VolcanoWorld has a very easy to use, Hypercard-like interface which will ultimately have these options: 1. Update on volcanic activity; 2. Volcanic regions; 3. How volcanoes work; 4. Historical eruptions; 5. Submarine volcanoes; 6. Planetary volcanoes; 7. How to become a volcanologist; 8. Ask a volcanologist; 9. Volcano contests; 10. Further explorations; 11. About this volcano.

• WebMuseum (originally WebLouvre)
  World-famous Parisian art museum on the web -- currently hosting three online exhibits: French medieval art; a collection of well-known paintings from famous artists; a tour of Paris, the Eiffel Tower, and the Champs-Elysees.

• White House
  Residence of the President of the United States, USA. An Interactive Citizen's Handbook: Executive Branch, First Family, Tours, What's New, Publications, Comments.

This page is part of the Geometry Forum's project:
Organizing Internet Resources for Math Teachers By Math Topic, Grade Level, and Pedagogical Issue.
Return to the home page for The Math Forum.