Culminating Task: Making the World a Better Place

In this activity you will explore connections between the concepts learned in this course and environmental issues. Specifically, you will create a mathematical model and visual representations to provide evidence to convince investors that a way to improve an environmental issue of your choice would be a worthy project in which to invest.

Overview

You have decided that you are going to make a pitch to the hosts of a reality TV show where entrepreneurs request funding for projects, or products, designed to reduce the damage to the environment caused by human activity. Your pitch must combine a compelling reason why your initiative should be supported, with evidence that justifies the need for action. You will research and collect secondary data, use the data to create graphical and algebraic models, make predictions based on your algebraic model and create a visual presentation using the media/ platform of your choice (PowerPoint, WordPress, Prezi, Weebly, iMovie, Show Me, Blogger, Tumblr, YouTube, etc.). The function used to create your algebraic model must be one of the types of functions (polynomial of degree 3 or higher, exponential, logarithmic or trigonometric) covered in this course.

Step 1:

Identify and describe an environmental issue and a proposed way to reduce impact and improve outcomes. The proposal could be as simple as a campaign to convince people to change daily habits that are harmful to the environment or as complex as developing a new environmentally friendly product or process.

Step 2:

Research secondary data from a reliable source and create a mathematical model to predict outcomes if no action to reduce harmful effects is taken.

Step 3:

Create algebraic and graphic representations of your model and provide a brief, but convincing, description of the benefits of your proposal.

Task Checklist

You will submit your Culminating Task upon completion of Unit 4 where you will be prompted at the end of the final learning activity to submit your assessment for feedback and a grade by selecting the "Assignments" link and following the submission directions.

Task Checklist Item Weight (No. of marks) A description of the environmental issue that needs to be addressed. A description of the product or change in behaviour that could reduce the damage caused by the environmental issue, with justication. A set of secondary data from a reliable source, in table form, pertaining to the environmental issue. It must be appropriate for modeling with one of the types of functions studied in this course: polynomial of degree 3 or higher; exponential; logarithmic or trigonometric. A spreadsheet (Excel, Google Sheets etc.) could be used to create the table and would facilitate graphing the data. The APA reference for the data set. A scatter plot of the data including appropriate titles, scales and units, created with the graphing technology of your choice. An algebraic model that ts the data. The model can feature one of the functions mentioned above or could be a combination or composite of two of those functions. The choice of model should be based on visual inspection of data trends observed and does not need to be supported by statistical analysis, which is beyond the scope of this course. An explanation of how the algebraic model was determined, including justication for the choice of parent function (or combined or composite function) and any transformations used to model the data. restrictions on the domain of your function and a description, including justication, of potential limitations of the algebraic model as it applies to correlation with the data and the 'real world' context. A graph of the algebraic model, including appropriate titles, scales, units, and restrictions on the domain, created with graphing technology, and superimposed on the scatter plot. At least one calculation using the algebraic model to make a prediction, or for emphasis. A brief sales pitch, using the graph as evidence, and calculations involving the algebraic model to make predictions to convince the reality TV show panel that your proposal deserves support. 10 Correct use of mathematical terminology and conventions throughout. The teacher will assess your work using the following rubric. Before submitting your assessment, review the rubric to ensure that you are meeting the success criteria to the best of your ability. Categories Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 (so 100%) (70 - 79%) (so 69%) (so 59%) Knowledge and A data table is A data table is A data table A data table Understanding created with a created with is created is created high degree of considerable with some with limited effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. Graphing Graphing Graphing Graphing technology is technology is technology technology used to create used to create is used to is used to the required the required create the create the graphs with a graphs with required graphs required graphs high degree of considerable with some with limited effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. Calculations Calculations Calculations Calculations using the using the using the using the algebraic model algebraic algebraic model algebraic model are carried model are are carried are carried out outwith a carried outwith outwith some with limited high degree of considerable effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. Thinking A clear link between the environmental issue, and the product or initiative being proposed to mitigate it, is established with a high degree of effectiveness. A clear link between the environmental issue,and the product or initiative being proposed to mitigate it, is established with considerable effectiveness. A clear link between the environmental issue, and the product or initiative being proposed to mitigate it, is established with some effectiveness. A clear link between the environmental issue, and the product or initiative being proposed to mitigate it, is established with limited effectiveness. The algebraic model represents the data with a high degree of effectiveness. The algebraic model represents the data with considerable effectiveness. The algebraic model represents the data with some effectiveness. The algebraic model represents the data with limited effectiveness. Restrictions on the domain and limitations of the model suit the context, and they take into consideration the correlation between the algebraic model and the data, with a high degree of effectiveness. Restrictions on the domain and limitations of the model suit the context, and they take into consideration the correlation between the algebraic model and the data, with considerable effectiveness. Restrictions on the domain and limitations of the model suit the context, and they take into consideration the correlation between the algebraic model and the data, with some effectiveness. Restrictions on the domain and limitations of the model suit the context, and they take into consideration the correlation between the algebraic model and the data, with limited effectiveness. Application Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate secondary data secondary data secondary data secondary data is selected with is selected with is selected is selected a high degree of oonsiderable with some with limited effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. The process The process The process The process used to used to used to used to determine the algebraic model determine the algebraic model determine the algebraic model determine the algebraic model is described with is described with is described is described a high degree of oonsiderable with some with limited effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. Transformations Transformations Transformations Transformations applied to the chosen parent function(s) are appropriate and are justified with a high degree of effectiveness. applied to the chosen parent function(s) are appropriate and are justied with oonsiderable effectiveness. applied to the chosen parent function(s) are appropriate and arejustied with some effectiveness applied to the chosen parent function(s) are appropriate and are justified with limited effectiveness. The algebraic model is used to support a point or make a prediction within the presentation with a high degree of effectiveness. The algebraic model is used to support a point or make a prediction within the presentation with oonsiderable effectiveness. The algebraic model is used to support a point or make a prediction within the presentation with some effectiveness. The algebraic model is used to support a point or make a prediction within the presentation with limited effectiveness. Communication Mathematical Mathematical Mathematical Mathematical language language language language and notation, and notation, and notation, and notation, throughout throughout throughout throughout the activity, the activity, the activity, the activity, are used are used are used are used with a high with with some with limited degree of oonsiderable effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. The The The The environmental environmental environmental environmental issue is issue is issue is issue is described with a described with described described high degree of considerable with some with limited effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. The reference for the data set is stated in APA style with a high degree of effectiveness Elements of the activity that are pertinent to the presentation are synthesized to create a convincing bid for support with a high degree of effectiveness. The reference for the data set is stated in APA style with considerable effectiveness. Elements of the activity that are pertinent to the presentation are synthesized to create a convincing presentation with oonsiderable effectiveness. The reference for the data set is stated in APA style with some effectiveness Elements of the activity that are pertinent to the presentation are synthesized to create a convincing presentation with some effectiveness. The reference for the data set is stated in APA style with limited effectiveness Elements of the activity that are pertinent to the presentation are synthesized to create a convincing presentation with limited effectiveness