Algebra I students at Frenship High school recently experimented with the lifting power of helium.
The students were asked to gather data, build scatterplots and analyze their findings as part of the current unit of study in they are in. The students were asked various questions like how much helium and how many balloons it would take to lift items off a table? Could a person, or even a house float away like in the movie Up?
This twist on thinking gave the students a new perspective on how to visualize their algebra equations and put them into a tangible exercise. It was a unique break from the traditional textbooks and handout assignments.