 In 2008, students are collaborating in a nationwide experiment to investigate where coins land when thrown onto a target under various conditions. Year 6A took part in this investigation.Year 6A discussed the project and what the class might do. Mathematical words such as circle, rectangle, semi-circle, centimetre, adjacent, concentric, annulus, radius, radii, diameter, area, likely, possible, probable were discussed. The students and teacher found that ‘annulus’ was not a mathematical term that they had used before.
Many variables were discussed and the students selected the following as constants:
- Printed off target
- 10 throws per student per distance
- 20c coin to be used
- Surface of concrete
- 3 distances of 100cm, 150cm and 200cm
After completing the activity students decided that, other variables needed to be controlled:
- How to throw – toss, spin, twirl, roll
- Throw from an upright position or lean over
- Stand, sit, kneel to throw
Students then collated results and the following questions were answered:
· Are we less accurate throwing from 1.5 m than from 1.0 m? Why?
· Which distance are we most accurate from? Why?
· Which group was the most accurate?
· Who should gain the ‘Reach for the Stars” Award with the best accuracy?
· Will we be more accurate if we place the target on grass?
The students then placed the targets on grass and discussed their results with their predictions.
Through this activity, students analysed situations, posed questions, planned activities, selected and used representations to generate solutions, developed arguments to justify solutions, evaluated their thinking and reasoning, communicated and reflected.
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