Overview Title: Whos Got Game? Improving my Sports Skills!

Target Audience: This project is targeted to a 9th grade Algebra I class. However, this lesson is appropriate to use in any Algebra I class with students from different grade levels. Project Description: The goal of this project is for students to understand that mathematics and science can aid in improving their sports skills, through the lenses of solving quadratic equations. This project will include opportunities for students to learn the concept matter, solving quadratic equations, through benchmark lessons, engage in investigative lessons where they directly answer the project question, explore virtual and interactive models to see how the components of quadratic equations can improve sports, and take a field trip to view a UF Basketball game/practice with a physics professor to actually put what they discovered in the classroom into practice in a sports arena. Therefore, this project includes classroom instruction, opportunities for investigative activities, a field trip to implement the discoveries and conclusions from what was learned, and a project presentation to discuss what students learned during the course of the unit. Final Project: The final project will take the form of a portfolio of all assigned work and notes, formative assessments throughout the unit to gage student understanding, and a PowerPoint presentation discussing what was learned during the course of the unit as a summative assessment. Students will present their observations, discoveries, experience and conclusions concerning how quadratics can improve their sports skills. Students will receive a project grade based on an established rubric and will be graded by their math teacher and an invited science teacher. The goal of the final project is to provide students with an opportunity to professional present findings and engage in a classroom discourse with their peers. Rationale: Gainesville High School prides itself on being a well-rounded school in maintaining high academic standards and athletic achievement. Many students pride themselves on participating in athletic activities or supporting athletic teams. This project will allow students to take their interests in sports and apply them in the context of a mathematical and scientific explorative unit. The goal is for students to take what they learn and apply them in improving their sports skills. Regardless of whether students take an interest in playing basketball or golf or just understanding that mathematical skills exist within the sports arena, the goal of this project is for students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in a real-world setting. Therefore, students will be able to take what they have learned to improve their sports skills or understand how math and science can aid in improving sports skills.

Benchmarks: MA.912.A.1.8: Use the zero product property of real numbers in a variety of contexts to identify solutions to equations. (Moderate) MA.912.A.7.2: Solve quadratic equations over the real numbers by factoring and by using the quadratic formula. (Moderate) MA.912.A.7.8: Use quadratic equations to solve real-world problems. (Moderate) Also involves these Benchmarks: MA.912.A.2.1: Create a graph to represent a real-world situation. (Moderate) MA.912.2.2: Interpret a graph representing a real-world situation. (Moderate) MA.912.2.4: Determine the domain and range of a relation. (Moderate) MA.912.A.7.1: Graph quadratic equations with and without graphing technology. (Moderate) Objectives: Solve quadratic equations by factoring and by using the quadratic formula. Find the roots of a quadratic function by identifying the related equation and then solving. Move flexibly between different models of quadratics. Describe the relationship between the independent and dependent variable in general and in real world situations. Draw conclusions from certain data by manipulating and utilizing quadratic functions. Generate quadratic functions given the roots. Solve real world problems dealing with quadratics. Explore the use of quadratics in golf and basketball. Pinpoint the value of quadratics in golf and basketball. Recognize how quadratics can help improve their game. Create 2 presentations (one with a team and one individually) to share findings. Create a project portfolio with any and all work that completed throughout the unit.