A Mathematician Webquest

By Jackie Helms

Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation

The mathematics that we use and study today has evolved and developed since the beginning of time. The men and women who have worked in and studied the discipline of mathematics have led interesting and sometimes unusual lives. In this web quest, you will research some of the men and women who have made contributions to the study and development of mathematics. You will also see how other historical happenings have played an important role in the study and development of mathematics.

The Task

Each student will develop a 1-2 page biographical report on a mathematician. As the reports are submitted, a class time-line will be built for the historical development of mathematics.

Process

1.	Each student will pick a mathematician using the following sources. After choosing your mathematician, have it approved by Mrs. Helms to avoid duplication. Take notes on your mathematician, and then write a 1-2 page report highlighting their life and their contribution to the field of mathematics.

Include in your report.

*	Dates of his/her life
*	Picture if available
*	Where the mathematician lived
*	Description of the type of mathematics studied
*	Other mathematicians that may have worked with or have been a resource to the mathematician you are writing about.
*	Occupation
*	Other interests of the mathematician
*	Significant historical (non-mathematical) event(s) that occurred during the life of the mathematician. (i.e. If the mathematician lived during the 1400’s, you might include Columbus’s discovery of America.)

3.	Post the name and mathematical research of your mathematician on a 3 x 5 card. Include the date they were born and died for the classroom time-line.

Resources

http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/edu/RSE/RSEorange/buttons.html

http://www.scottlan.edu/lriddle/women/women.htm

· Mathematicians: http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/

· Women: http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/women.htm

· Math Facts and Fun: http://www.windham.k12.me.us/thirdgrd/math.htm

· Math Quotations: http://math.furman.edu/~mwoodard/mquot.html

· Math Forum: http://forum.swarthmore.edu

· WomenII: http://www.cs.yale.edu/HTML/YALE/CS/HyPlans/tap/past-women.html

TOTAL __________