Category Archives: Math Minute

Math Mini-Sparks are MOVING

August 28, 2023Math Minute, Mini Challengeslspady

Math Mini-Sparks are in the process of moving to a new Google site! You can still access all 94 math mini-sparks on the EY Website by scrolling down, but new mini-sparks will be posted here:

https://sites.google.com/westside66.net/mathminisparks/math-mini-sparks

# 94: Pixel Power

April 20, 2023Math Minute, Uncategorizedlspady

Pixels are the smallest unit in a digital display. Up to millions of pixels make up an image or video on a device’s screen. Each pixel comprises a subpixel that emits a red, green and blue (RGB) color, which displays at different intensities.

In this mini spark, you will learn about the basics of pixels and pixel colors. You can extend your learning on this topic by completing the Pixel Power Badge! (coming soon)

Step 1: Start by taking out your math notebook or opening your math mini spark doc. Put the date at the top and put the title of this mini spark. Record all of your work on this page.

Step 2. Use this slideshow of images, which zooms a picture of raft. The final slide shows that the entire photo is actually made from individual squares of color. How does looking at these pictures help explain creation of the digital images that you see? What other images might you see today that are made from pixels?

Step 2: Watch these two videos. The first video is a reminder binary numbers. It will help to see this before watching the second video.

Take notes as you watch both vidoes.

After watching the second video answer these questions in your notebook.

What is the RGB name for turquoise?

How does a computer name turquoise?

Draw the math steps that were used in the video to explain how a function is used to filter an image.

Step 3: Turn your notes and responses to your teacher or EY coordinator.

#93 Cake Pop Math

March 31, 2023Math Minutelspady

Did you hear that Scooter’s Coffee broke the Guinness World Record for the largest cake pop?! This mini spark will give you the opportunity to learn more, explore spheres, and maybe even make your own cake pops!

Activity choices for this math mini spark

Read the article and leave a comment about something new you learned: https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/scooters-coffee-breaks-guinness-world-record-for-the-largest-cake-ball
With an adult’s permission, make your own cake pops. Send a picture of your finished product to the EY Coordinator at your school.
Learn about SPHERES at https://www.splashlearn.com/math-vocabulary/geometry/sphere and think of a creative way to show what you learned.
Look at the website linked below to find the diameter of some of your favorite sports balls. Calculate the SA and Volume and display your learning in a creative way. https://www.topendsports.com/resources/equipment/ball-size.htm
Have you ever bought a cake pop? How much was it and was the cost worth the taste? Explore the price of cake pops from different stores and make a table comparing the data. You can find out the cost by visiting a place in-person, or find a website that tells you the information. Display your data in a creative way and share with the EY Coordinator at your building.

#92: 18 Ways NASA Uses Pi

March 14, 2023Math Minute, Uncategorizedlspady

π Day 2023

Pi is one the most studied numbers in mathematics and on March 14 (or 3/14), we celebrate Pi Day because 3.14 are the first digits of pi.

On this Pi Day 2023, learn about 18 ways that NASA uses Pi! https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/list/oh-the-places-we-go-18-ways-nasa-uses-pi/
Learn about other interesting Pi Facts at https://www.piday.org/pi-facts/

#91: Mythical Mathmathetial Mind Reader

January 6, 2023Math Minutelspady

Check out this number game to solve and then challenge yourself to explain your math thinking.

Grab scratch paper

Set timer for 5 min

Go to The Mind Reader website created by Transum and follow the instructions

The Mind Reader

Record all of your math step by step on your paper

Look for patterns
Brainstorm on possible reasons why The Mind Reader is able to predict your symbol every time.

At the end of the 5 minutes, write a several sentences about how you think this game works.

lesson adapted from https://www.transum.org/Maths/Investigation/Mind_Reader/ and Yummy math

#90: A Ridiculous Long Way to Find Out the Day of the Week You Were Born

October 5, 2022Math Minutelspady

**Do you know what day of the week you were born on? If not, you could…**

Ask your parent(s)/guardian(s) if they remember the day of the week.
You could “Google”: What day of the week was May 16, 1975 (that’s my birthday)

OR

You can do this ridiculously long way…which is more fun IMO!

Step 1: Take the last 2 digits of the year in which you were born.

Step 2: Divide that number by 4 and ignore any remainder.

Step 3: Add the day of the month.

Step 4: Add the month’s key value.

January and October:Key Value = 1
February, March, and November: Key Value = 4
April and July: Key Value = 0
May: Key Value = 2
June: Key Value = 5
August: Key Value = 3
September and December: Key Value = 6

Step 5: Subtract 1 for January or February of a leap year.

Step 6:

Add 0 if the date is in the 1900s
Add 6 if the date is in the 2000s
Add 4 for the 1700s
Add 2 for the 1800s

Step 7: Add the last 2 digits of the year.

Step 8: Divide by 7 and take the remainder.

Remainder 1 is Sunday
Remainder 2 is Monday
Remainder 3 is Tuesday
Remainder 4 is Wednesday
Remainder 5 is Thursday
Remainder 6 is Friday

Now double-check your work by searching on Google! Bonus: Create a product that shows your work! Look below for an example.

#89 Matrices

September 21, 2022Math Minutelspady

Matrices are rectangular arrangements of rows and columns.

In this mini spark, you will learn about the basics of matrices by watching 2 videos and taking notes. You can extend your learning by completing the Marvelous Matrices badge!

Step 1: Start by taking out your math notebook. Put the date at the top and put the title of this mini spark.

Step 2: Watch the 2 videos below and take notes with the new information you learned.

Step 3: Show your notes to your EY Coordinator and/or classroom teacher.

#88: EWeek (Engineer’s Week)

February 21, 2022Math Minute, MS Learning Opportunitieslspady

Calling all FUTURE ENGINEERS…Every year we celebrate EWeek.

Learn about 5 different types of engineers and solve the types of problems they solve. https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/engineers-week

Geomatics Engineering

Geomatics engineers collect data and then analyze and interpret it to find solutions Geomatics engineering plays an important role in construction, transport, communication, mapping and research.

Click here for the problems: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p3tkRCP3-rBDfzT8hB11_lsWcKmyjFwD/view?usp=sharing

Structural Engineering

Structural engineers design and analyze bridges, buildings and even things like concert stages. Environmental factors, what a structure will be used for and what type of weight will be put on it, and how this all might change from day to day before even beginning a design are all things that a structural engineer must consider.

Click here for the problems: https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/eweek-problem-day-tuesday

Systems & Mechanical Engineering

Systems engineers need to ensure individual sub-systems and components of a large project all work together to perform the overall desired function. Mechanical engineering mostly work in HVAC(heating, ventilation and air conditioning).

Click here for the problems: https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/eweek-problem-day-wednesday

Nuclear Engineering

What if you could harness the energy that is released by reactions within atoms? That’s what nuclear engineering does! The energy released by reactions within atoms can be used to generate electricity, power transportation systems, and diagnose and treat illnesses.

Click here for the problems: https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/eweek-problem-day-thursday

#87: Palindrome Week

December 1, 2021Math Minutelspady

Some times we have a Palindrome “Week”

December 1-9 in 2021 formed a palindrome when the month is written as 12 and the year is written as 21. So…

December 1 was 12-1-21

December 2 was 12-2-21

December 3 was 12-3-21

12-11-21 and 12-22-21 were also palindrome dates in Dec. 2021.

The date reads the same forward as it does backwards. This doesn’t happen often!

To earn this mini-spark,

Check out these palindromes for kids: https://kids.kiddle.co/Palindrome pay special attention to any words that are new to you and phrases that are palindromes. These items should all be included in your final note taking page.
Watch the video about palindromes https://youtu.be/1QC20PBvunI and pause the video as needed to record any new words/phrases that are palindromes.
Share your work with your teacher and/or EY Coordinators to earn this mini spark.

Where can you find 🅿🅰🅻🅸🅽🅳🆁🅾🅼🅴🆂?

Leave a comment and/or send a picture of a palindrome you discovered.

#86 Football Roster Math

August 31, 2021Math Minutelspady

There is a plethora of data when it comes to sports! Whether you’re looking at individual player stats, team rankings, or just want to see the breakdown of a particular game…MATH IS EVERYWHERE IN SPORTS!

This Mini Spark has you looking at the 21-22 Westside High School Football JV and Varsity Football Roster. Download and print a copy of the worksheet and roster by clicking the links below. Or, you can complete the worksheet digitally using Notability or other app on your iPad.

When you’re finished, show your classroom teacher and/or your EY Coordinator.

Worksheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dSSsHG7ddQJjY74xtgz45yVjqlMP8f7y/view?usp=sharing

JV Football Roster: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tiADGIRu6cgsIQWIx3BTIM1JCS8ICCLZ/view?usp=sharing

Varsity Football Roster: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lf_44eFFhv-QHSsv-M62mpTL4ZX5z61I/view?usp=sharing

image source: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_UGZ5jFqqjw3iY1GJ_4r-Kt7rpuFOiu3hKX7BYZvWJ8/copy