Recreational Diving Unit: Mathematics - Week One

http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/EDTEC596/Units/Dive/Math~1.html

by

Helena Cho

Introduction

You're going to plan a dive trip. The objective of this class is to explore mathematical topics related to diving. These things include: the cost of diving, finding buried treasure, and ranking diving equipment by importance and costs.

The Task

After this week, you should be able to:

Resources

The Process

Here's a list of assignments due at the end of this week:

  1. You will be exploring the Web for different diving equipment. After finding the equipment, you will be writing 10 down in list form on a piece of paper with their costs and locations. For each item, log at least two different sites that you found each item with their listed prices (you can use this chart).

  2. You will then be exploring different coins found in the ocean bed. You will write down the coin number and their value. Then I will give you a value of $1000 worth of coins in a bag; you are expected to come up with several different possible combinations (your group will be earning prize points for the number of combinations). Here's a possible chart you might want to use.

  3. You will look at various dive plans offered by actual agencies and will evaluate which trip option is the best. Choose the best dive plan and offer reasons (in terms of cost and options), the reasons you offer will determine your performance on this activity (the goal is to maximize fun and minimize cost). Again, here's a possible chart for this and the next activity.

  4. Finally, you will list the equipment (12 items, two extra items for special trips) needed for your dive in order of importance (offer reasons for your ranking) and the cost. The reasons your team provides will determine your performance on this activity. The group will sum up the total cost of the trip (including the trip). The group with the best option and most combinations of coins will get a special prize (disposable camara).

Evaluation

You will be evaluated by the completeness and neatness of your lists, the number of different combinations of coins, and quality of reasons that you offer for the best trip option and ranking of equipment. Each activity is worth 25 points, which would give a total of 100 points at the end. Remember this is a group activity. Participation and collaboration amongst all of the group members will be monitored by the teacher. Poor team work will effect your group points toward the disposable camara.

Conclusion

You will have a better understanding of how to plan a dive, combining numbers, and ranking things in at least two variables (importance, cost, and fun values). Bon Voyage!

Last updated May 18, 1997. Return to the Recreational Diving Page

Based on a template written by Bernie Dodge.