Get the Math

Get the Math "is a multimedia project about algebra in the real world. See how professionals working in fashion, videogame design, and music production use algebraic thinking. Then take on interactive challenges related to those careers."

Each activity has an introductory video that sets the context and then poses a problem to be solve. Students then are walked through an example and then given the opportunity to explore further. Currently there are three activities:

• Math in Music - Watch the video about two rap performers who call themselves DobleFlo who have a problem mixing music. Then take the challenge and use ratios and proportion to help them mix tracks. You can here me talking about this on CBC Radio's The Bridge here if you wish.
• Math in Fashion - Watch the video featuring Project Runway's season two winner Chloe Dao talk about her costing dilemma in creating a garment. Then take the challenge to help decide how to design a top but still stay in budget by using percent calculations.
• Math in Video Games - Watch the video featuring Julia Detar, a videogame designer for the company Arkadium. Then take the challenge that deals with video games and equations of lines.

I have tried the Math in Music activity in a couple of grade 9 applied classes and they loved it (have students bring in their own headphones though)