Unit 3: City Planning

                           Unit 3:  City Planning

Driving Question: How can we measure the heights of tall buildings in our city?

Provided Materials:

Calculator

Homemade sextant

Measuring wheel

Homemade sextant (tool used to measure angle of elevation)

Student Exploration:

Students will work in groups of two or three and attempt to use their knowledge of trigonometry to measure heights of buildings in their city. (This activity is designed to take place in an urban setting; however it can be done in any setting). This section of the unit will engage the students in an inquiry process.

Collaboration:

After initial exploration, groups will collaborate to share their ideas and any problems that arose. The instructor will facilitate discussion as groups attempt to find the best method for answering the driving question. As a collaborative whole group, the class will develop a strategy to respond to the driving question.

Student Artifacts:

After a method is derived through group inquiry and discussion, groups will use this method to find a height of a building in their community. Groups will then create posters including a sketch of their unique problem, their mathematical reasoning, and an explanation of their solution.

Desired Outcome:

Students will develop a deep understanding of the practical uses and applications of trigonometry in real-life situations.