Steps Towards Making a Project

Projects are implemented in the curriculum to help students implement the ideas they learn about in their education courses. Most of the subjects falling under science are based on practical implementations. Thus, learning only the theoretical part of it will only cover a small part of the world of wonders that science offers. With creating a base with theoretical knowledge, students should also be well acquainted with the practical implementation, and that is where projects play a major role. By involving students in doing projects, they understand the real-life implementation of the subjects they learn and implement and apply the knowledge into innovative ideas. Mathematics is a subject used in almost every field of work and can be implemented with any other subject. For example, mathematics is used in physics, chemistry, accounting, finances, etc. Thus, mathematics is limited to studying science, but it is spread all around us. Projects are to be planned well before moving on to execution to fully implement the concepts and showcase their usability.

Advantages of including projects in the curriculum:

Implementing projects into mathematical learning can help better understand the concepts and create an innovative approach to learning and visualising the concept. It also helps in providing students with a more relatable and intriguing way of learning mathematics. Projects help is sharpening reasoning and logical skills in students that in turn help in the application of the concepts. 

With the traditional approach of theoretical learning, it is often challenging for students to understand the implementation of the problems and hence relate to them. Students often mistake advanced mathematics to be not relatable to real life, but that is not true. Advanced mathematics, such as differentiation, integration, statistics, probability, etc., are very commonly used by multiple professions, and it is as widely used as basic arithmetic operations.

The objective of the math project:

Doing a math project has the following objectives:

• Providing students with a clear idea of how the knowledge is implemented in real life. Education is not just a mode of studying and scoring well in examinations. Through education, one must gain deep knowledge to apply it when required. Projects help students understand the application of mathematical ideas.
• Helping students visualize the concepts, formulae, theorems, and deductions. For example, when a student learns about statistics and probability, they come across multiple theorems and formulae, but they do not know how it is implemented in real life. For example, statistics and probability are commonly used by meteorologists to make weather forecasts, etc. Thus, through projects, students learn to visualize how mathematics can be implemented to achieve a goal.
• Teaches students to employ reasoning skills and solve problems in a particular situation by implementing their knowledge of mathematics. For example, if someone were to measure the magnitude of the earthquake and note down its changes, they would use their knowledge of differentiation. 
• Helps develop analysing skills, thinking ability, and a logical approach towards any situation.

Steps towards doing a project:

Step 1:

Think of one mathematical concept to do a project on. The concept is to be chosen to portray its applicability in real life. The concept is to be chosen in a way that is innovative, intriguing and helps the audience relate to its outcome.

For example, a project on surface area and volume will be easily relatable because measuring surface area and volume is common in day-to-day lives. Creating projects that utilise the concept of surface area can also be innovative when supported with geometric structures and other mathematics concepts.

Step 2:

Collect all relevant information on the concept. It is essential to know that there might be several theorems and formulae of a mathematical concept, and there might be different contributions from different mathematicians to deducing the universally accepted forms. Therefore, it is essential to acknowledge and recognise all the contributions provided to reach modern concepts while doing a project. 

For example: In a math project on probability, one must recognise the Bayes’ theorem of conditional formatting. Thomas Bayes is a mathematician who was the first to conditional probability in determining an algorithm. The theorem was named after him as the Bayes’ Theorem provides a formula to predict an outcome of an event based on a previous outcome.

Step 3:

Determine the way of implementing the idea into a project. This step is crucial as proper planning can result in a well-made and innovative project that captures the main essence of the mathematical concept. 

Step 4:

Doing a project using the analysis made from the first 3 steps— This step involves implementing the ideas that are thought of and executing the application of knowledge. In addition, this step is about ensuring a method to put together the ideas to achieve the desired results.

Mathematics project ideas:

Conditional probability:

Experiment with the probability of events that are interdependent or preceding one another. Such events can help forecast events by analysing past outcomes and predicting future results. The use of Bayes’ theorem can be implemented in this project.

Comparable areas of similar geometric structures such as triangles:

Experiment to deduce the similarity of different geometric structures. For example, implementing concepts of similar triangles and comparing different triangles to find out the similarities.

Trigonometric ratios and angle determination

Applying trigonometric ratios to calculate the sides and angle of geometric structures can make an innovative project idea.

Mean value determination:

Calculating the means and averages of any set of numbers using the mean value concept can be innovative and exciting. However, this is a widespread application of the mathematical concept that is widely and commonly used and thus is relatable.

Implementation of Euclid geometry:

Working with geometric planes and lines based on theorems and axioms while implementing and validating the ideas can also be an interesting idea to do a project on.

Conclusion:

Projects can be very useful in learning the practical approach of mathematics. Mathematics is a logical subject; doing a project on the same requires intensive knowledge gathering and a clear idea of every theorem, formulae, etc., associated with it. Mathematics is a mandatory part of life and is used in every step; thus, this subject makes for an ideal choice to do projects on. A student learns to logically understand and implement mathematics concepts through making projects and project management. One must properly analyse and follow the steps towards executing a project and getting desirable results.