RET at UC

Research Experience for Teachers (2018-2019)

A Day at Kings lsland

Beth Francis's Poster
Author: Beth Francis
Unit Title: A Day at Kings lsland
Grade Level: 8
Subject: Gifted STEM
Estimated Duration: 8-12 45 minute classes
Unit Activities:
Keywords:

The Big Idea (including global relevance)

Optimization: People always want to spend the least amount time and resources and get the best results. Experts have developed a way to use technology to help optimize our lives. Businesses use models to maximize profits and to plan transportation routes. Agricultural business use models to improve crop yield. Manufacturing use models to improve processes and systems.


Essential Questions

  • How can we get the most for my money spent on entertainment?
  • How can I get the most entertainment for my time spent?
  • How can I maximize my access to needs, or entertainment?
  • How can I minimize my wait time?


The Hook

  • Use Optimization Slide Show for the Hook part of the lesson. Start by asking students for the definition of optimization. The slide show includes the following videos:





    After viewing video discuss how the information for the video was determined. Which leads to identifying the Big Idea and starting the CBL process.


The Challenge

Design the best path to visit all the Roller coasters at Kings Island in a given amount of time.


Guiding Questions

  • How many roller coasters are at Kings Island?
  • What is the distance between the roller coasters?
  • What is graph theory?
  • How can graph theory help solve this challenge?
  • How can math help solve this challenge?
  • What is computer algorithmic thinking?
  • What are the parts of an app?
  • What is optimization?
  • What careers involve optimization?
  • What is engineering?
  • Would buying a jumping in line pass at Kings Island be worth the money?
  • What is the best way to utilize my time at Kings Island to get the best bang for my buck?
  • How can I maximize my time on ride and minimize my wait time in line during a day at Kings Island?


ACS (Real world applications; career connections; societal impact)

People always want to save money and time. When it comes to engineering these are the two things that drive the research and development. Optimization is a crucial part of the real world.

Waiting in long lines takes lots of time. Time is something you can never get back. Finding ways to save time and money should be a priority to society not just in the engineering world.

Careers-Performance Optimization Engineer, Optimization Analyst, Mathematician, Computer Programming, Civil Engineering. During challenge day either visit Jeff and Sid at the lab to test solutions or have them come to school to run the tests.

Misconceptions


Unit Lessons and Activities

  • Lesson 1: Using Math for Optimization
    • Activity 1: In Activity 1, Students will be introduced the Big Idea of optimization in our world. Then they develop the Essential Question, Challenge and the guiding questions.
    • Activity 2: In Activity 2, students are introduced to graph theory as a way for optimization.

  • Lesson 2: EDP In Action
    • Activity 3: Activity 3 has the students gathering information for the challenge.
    • Activity 4: In Activity 4, students create an optimization plan for their assigned client.
  • Evidence of CBL: Activity 1 and 4
  • Evidence of EDP: Activity 3 and 4


Additional Resources