Math on the Move: Exploring Algebra with TI Rovers

Just a few weeks ago, I was able to work with students in Algebra I classes using the TI-Innovator™ Rover. In New York State, we have end of the year Regents Examinations, which are achievement tests aligned with New York State’s learning standards. This year, the Algebra I Regents was early, which allowed for me to go into schools to use the TI-Innovator™ Rover.

Students got to explore math content in a hands on way, while also learning how to code!

One of the schools I went to had students compete in Rover Olympics! Each group picked a country to represent. Throughout the day, each class picked different countries to keep track throughout all the Algebra I classes.

Students were tasked with maneuvering their rover around a track as fast as possible. Times were recorded throughout the day and prizes were given to the country that won!

Next up was rover soccer! Groups each coded a path to get the soccer ball in the goal. Then 2 teams went head to head to see who could reach the ball the fastest! There were many collisions and teams were quite successful!

 

 

The last event was bowling. Teams were given multiple challenges with increasing difficulty to knock the pins down.

 

The following school I visited completed the Two Rovers Leave the Station activity from the TI Education website. Students graphed 2 linear equations to find the point of intersection. They then put rover against rover to see if their intersection point was correct. Collisions occurred at the exact points of intersections!

 

I visited this same school for a second day. The day’s task was to program their rovers to maneuver through different mazes. The mazes had varying difficulty. Students had to determine the distance that 1 unit travelled to inform how many forward units they coded the rover to make it them travel the straightaway lengths. They also used their knowledge of supplementary angles to turn the rover appropriately.

 

 

The final two schools I brought the rovers to completed the Rover, Watch Out for Rover activity from the TI Education website. Students used time and distance to create a ratio- the team that came closest to the object was the winner!

 

 

 

 

 

Students were engaged in these activities and while at first seemed hesitant, had a lot of fun in their last few days of classes. As teachers were able to observe these lessons and activities, I believe they will want to include using the rovers in their curriculums next year to help teach via the rover lessons!