This is a great model for learning. We can incorporate so many of our educational standards, across disciplines, into activities like this. This is an example of real, applicable learning that is concrete. Hurray!

I found this article very exciting. Having taught high school mathematics for 36 years, I think it is wonderful to know that teachers are using great projects like these. These projects allow students to relate mathemetics to useful and important issues in the world. Unfortunately, math is very often taught as lists of rules, theorems to memorize, and tests to pass. I have always believed that it is essential for students to know that school is a place where students learn how to apply what they are learning.

I hope that my web pages on The Math Forum (http://mathforum.org/~sanders/) will assist teachers, and provide ideas for projects and activities than can enrich students' mathematical experiences.

Aloha from Hawaii,
Cathleen V. Sanders

Mrs. Kieselbach,
I'm currently an education major and I has this assignmtn to do on this video, when I saw it I thought of you. I thought it was such a greata concept and thought you might want to take a look since LVA is so projected based learning.Mrs. Cropley

Inspiring. I found the project, the courage of Eeva Reeder, the contribution of the two architects Miller and Weise, and the way the students rose to the challenge inspiring. I would anticipate many future architects and other building professionals coming from these students in future years.

I love what this teacher has done, learning by doing is one of the most effective types of learning, because it is practical and multidisciplinary. It is also FUN!!! Apart from its academic advantages, it also teaches kids to cooperate, communicate, find solutions, decide which one is best etc. The challenge would be teachers. Many don't know how to get out of the textbook and use techniques like these. , but it can and should be done.

I think this is a great project. Students do not know how to apply concepts in other ways than how they learned them. It is not enough just to explain to them they need to be able to use the things they learn in other areas. This project takes things further than a worksheet could ever do. It takes concepts into the real world, and that is so important for kids to see that what they are learning is relevant to them and thier future.

Wow This is a great model. What a great way to get students to express a personal side and make the project personal.

This idea for a project is great. I teach high school and would live to do something like this in my math class. Is there any way I could get some more information?

Staff comment:

Sheila,

You will find links to resources and more indepth information about teacher Eeva Reeder's course in the article Geometry in the Real World: Students as Architects. While Ms. Reeder did not provide us with her lesson plans, you will learn more about her project process in this article.

Additional information about project planning and examples of projects may be found at The Online Resource for Project-Based Learning.

Sincerely,

Diane Demee-Benoit
Consulting Online Editor, Edutopia.org

Thanks friends, this is a good idea... This one is mine:
http://www.smpm.es/Actividades/concursoexperiencias/documentos/i-200-cle...

It's written in spanish but I hope you enjoy it!!!

And one video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL9nr8Y4lIM

Regards and good work!
Carlos