Education Technology

Exploring Slope: Slope on the Slopes

Author
Subject Area
Math: Algebra I: Linear Functions
Level
6-8
Activity Time
90-180 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-84 series
Resource Types
Lessons

Exploring Slope: Slope on the Slopes

Activity Overview

Students take a field trip to a local ski area(or simply a nearby hill) and calculate the slope of a hill at several positions.

Before the Activity

Students should have access to the TI-84 Plus.

During the Activity

Students take a field trip to a local ski area(or simply a nearby hill) and calculate the slope of a hill at several positions. The horizontal and vertical components are calculated by using a string, line level and regular level. The rise over run is then calculated for each position and an estimate of the slope for that particular hill is then put in an equation in slope-intercept form(with the y-intercept as 0).

Students use "Activity Center" to submit an equation for each hill. Perhaps data can be collected for different degrees of slope. Students can submit questions and answers about the data collection that can be compiled in "LearningCheck™" for an assessment of the activity.

After the Activity

Review student results:

  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary
  • Author
    Subject Area
    Math: Algebra I: Linear Functions
    Level
    6-8
    Activity Time
    90-180 Minutes
    TI Calculator
    TI-84 series
    Resource Types
    Lessons
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