Teachers Comment
There were quite a few unforeseen problems that arose during the project:
1. Some groups were quite inaccurate with their measurements and since the survey was a
collaborative exercise with everyone pooling their results at the end, there was quite an
impact on the final plan. In most cases pupils found it difficult to complete the last
triangle in the construction due to poor fitting. This was overcome by
"cheating". However, the plans are still fairly representative and the area
where the inaccuracies occurred could have been remeasured if there had been time.
2. The survey took place over two lessons set apart by 3 days. We marked the position
of the poles as best we could after the first lesson but when we came to them on the
second lesson it was difficult to find some of them.
3. I could have done with having more equipment.
Of course, there was more maths involved in this project than Charlotte suggests here.
Directed numbers, mathematical language, and much shape and space. The most important
thing was that pupils enjoyed it, saw a real application of the subject and learned some
maths along the way. It was also nice to be out of the classroom on those hot sunny days.
