Discusses the implications of authentic activity as a model of learning, particularly in the design of computer-based simulations and project-based learning activities. Addresses the characteristics of problem-solving situations, educational simulations, and authentic learning activities; and identifies key guidelines in the design and development…

The use of creative dramatics in the library media center allows children to bring characters and stories to life, and encourages verbalization, experimentation, improvisation, and problem solving. Dramatic play activities are presented for grades two through six. (Author/AEF)

Presents a scenario using an animal word problem and illustrates how kindergarten classrooms can become rich environments to develop students' mathematical power. Presents student solutions. (MKR)

As urbanization increases, the potential for conflict between urban and agricultural interests grows. A case study of a conflict between farming and nonfarming interests provides students an opportunity to consider and discuss varying perceptions about pesticide use by farmers while evaluating data concerning pesticides. (LZ)

The on-off settings of a series of eight switches determines the code to open garage doors. Presented are two problems asking the probability that two people would have the same garage door opener code or whether a specific person would have the same code as another person in the neighborhood. (MDH)

This paper uses the topic of rain forests to demonstrate how a meaningful and relevant Science, Technology, and Society program can be designed for intermediate-level students. Students create and immerse themselves in a tropical rain forest, explore the forest ecosystem and peoples, and consider solutions to the problem of deforestation. (JDD)

Applies Pascal's Triangle to determine the number of ways in which a given team can win a playoff series of differing lengths. Presents the solutions for one-, three-, five-, seven-, and nine-game series, and extends the solution to the general case for any series. (MDH)

Explains a problem-solving format developed by a school media specialist and first grade teacher that used the framework of Eisenberg and Berkowitz's "Big Six Skills" for library media programs. The application of the format to a science unit on the senses is described. (two references) (MES)

Shares a psychological look at student images of mathematical learning and problem solving through students' writings about mathematical experiences. The analysis is done from a Jungian psychoanalytic orientation with the goal of assisting students develop a deeper perspective from which to view their mathematics experience. (MDH)

Presents a series of challenges, problems, and examples to demonstrate the principle of mathematical induction and illustrate the many situations to which it can be applied. Applications relate to Fibonacci sequences, graph theory, and functions. (MDH)

This article is a chapter from a book titled "Rock Writing," which emphasizes writing skills for gifted students. It focuses on consumer education with examples from language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. Included are quizzes, open-ended problems, puns, advertising euphemisms, comparison pricing exercises, research problems, and…

Described is an activity that uses the techniques of integral calculus to determine the volume of a bundt cake. The cake is used as an example of a solid of revolution. Included are the procedures and assumptions used by students to solve this problem. (KR)

Presented are the solutions generated by a fifth grade class to the problem of finding the sum of the number of blocks in a pyramid with a bottom layer containing seven blocks. Three methods were recorded: a levels method, a columns method, and a vertical slice method. (MDH)

Describes a classroom experience in which the teacher experiments with integrating mathematics history into a calculus class by presenting a historical problem taken from L'Hopital to be solved by the students. Extracts the role that history can play in teaching mathematics from the experience. (MDH)

Presents an example with multiple solutions that illustrates connections between mathematics and the real world. Considers five possible methods by which the voting for a convention delegate might be performed. (MDH)