Math Lab: Investigating Second-hand Smoke Using Inequality Symbols

This lab is great to use as reinforcement to newly learned lessons, or it can be used as a semester review! Honestly, this is one of my favorites!

* Working with a partner, students use balloons to measure the volume of a single breath of air and apply their calculations to determine (mathematically) how much second-hand smoke they breathe when exposed!

* In the process of making their discovery, students use the circumference formula in a variety of forms in order to find a radius, and ultimately the volume of their breath of air using a spherical balloon.

* In doing the lab, students use ratios, percentages, averages, and percent of increase.

* In addition, students write inequalities to demonstrate their understanding of the language of math.

* They will write inequalities that involve the mathematical language for "between", "at most", "at least", "no less than", and "no more than".

* Students use dimensional analysis to make conversions

* Students calculate the volume of a room and determine the number of breaths needed for four people to consume the air in the smoke filled room.

* Students record their data on a table provided in the lab.

* Students answer a series of fourteen analysis questions also provided in the lab.

* Answers are provided where possible.

* Finally, students reflect on the lab by writing a report and expressing higher level thinking to their discovery.

* Students invariably enjoy this investigation while they take advantage of multiple opportunities to engage in the use of the beautiful discipline we know and love as mathematics.

Please enjoy the lab!

* LOVE TO TEACH!