Download Be a Paper Engineer:
Be a Paper Engineer (1988)
In Be a Paper Engineer, students design make and evaluate 3-dimensional paper products including gift boxes and pop-up greetings cards. They explore 3-dimensional shape-and-space, making generalisations using words and algebra.
- In groups, students make a wide variety of pop-up cards, gift boxes and envelopes in order to familiarise themselves with the techniques involved.
- Students investigate a few techniques. These include a 2-dimensional representation of a 3-dimensional product, explaining design features, making a 3-dimensional product etc.
- Groups pool ideas for paper products and then, individually, students attempt to design and make an accurate version of one of the products.
- Students now attempt to produce `kits' of their designs so that other people can make the products.
The materials comprise a teacher’s guide, a student booklet and a set of photocopy masters.
Unless stated otherwise, these materials are Copyright © Shell Centre for Mathematical Education (see the materials for full details). You may download these materials for personal use and freely repoduce them for non-commercial purposes including teaching, research and staff development within your institution. For other uses, please contact the Bell Burkhardt Daro Shell Centre Trust at publications@mathshell.com for information.
Numeracy Through Problem Solving series
Numeracy Through Problem Solving is a sequence of five modules which develop students' ability to use mathematics together with other skills, in tackling problems of concern or situations of interest in everyday life - the original definition of numeracy in the Cockcroft Report.
Each module is designed to take between 10 and 20 hours to complete. Each provides a theme within which the students take responsibility for planning, organising or designing. They are based around the everyday interests of most students. Students work both individually and in groups and are able to choose which areas of mathematics to deploy. They also implement the results of their own decisions - a vital educational experience!
Although the specific references to GCSE are obsolete, these modules remain a unique resource for developing numeracy skills in engaging contexts across a wide range of ages and abilities.