Mathematics is often one of the most difficult subjects for students to master. Educators need to find ways to help students understand the importance of mathematics in daily life. This can motivate students because they begin to see how it applies to real-life situations. It can start to live for them outside the classroom instead of being an abstract subject that holds no interest to them. Here are some places to take a class for a math-themed trip.
1. Bletchley Park in England
For two years running, Bletchley Park in England was named “Best Venue for Maths Learning” by School Travel Awards. It was the country house and estate where top codebreakers operated in secret during World War Two.
Students can go on a guided tour of the facility, which was the birthplace of modern information technology. They can also take part in interactive workshops on many different topics. One of the workshops is about the role of code breakers in the war. Students will be fascinated by their brilliance and how much they contributed to the war effort.
Math problems and answers
Taking mathematics trips can motivate students and help them to develop a love of mathematics. Once they have that enthusiasm, they will have more incentive to practice. Plainmath is a platform that helps students to understand how to solve math problems. It provides accessible sample problems and answers. For example, students can find calculus 2 problems and answers so they can see whether they are correct in their approach to finding solutions. Online math answers prove to be of great help to students who need additional help in this subject.
2. Museums in Italy
A visit to Florence in Italy will give students an insight into the development of the scientific method. During the Renaissance, there was an emphasis on mathematics and empirical evidence. Mathematicians like Galileo and Leonardo Da Vinci were celebrated. There are museums in Florence honoring these two amazing mathematicians. They give students the chance to see inventions and historical equipment.
The Garden of Archimedes also helps students to understand mathematics. This museum has interactive exhibits that help to bring maths to life. A visit to math museums can help to show students the infinite possibilities that mathematics can open up.
3. National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) in New York
This museum in New York highlights innovative exhibits and programs designed to spark curiosity in people of all ages. The main purpose of this museum isn’t to explain complex math formulas. It demonstrates what can be achieved through math in an interactive way. For example, the Tessellation Station allows students to construct their own displays.
From interacting with robots to making fractal trees in their own image, students can have fun and learn at the same time. One of the most famous exhibits is a tricycle with square wheels on which it’s possible to experience a smooth ride. Math Flash gives an insight into contemporary advances in math. Twisted Thruway gives a tour of a Mobius strip, and Motionscape offers an experience of velocity and acceleration.
4. Legoland, Windsor Resort
Legoland is the perfect place to spend an engaging field trip. There are multiple workshops to choose from that are designed to bring math to life outside of the classroom. They encourage problem-solving, communication, collaboration and critical thinking.
The LEGO Robotics Space Challenge workshop offers students a series of space challenges to help develop their problem-solving skills. In another workshop, students can build a LEGO merry-go-round to explore gear ratios and experiment with gear trains to see which combination enables the ride to spin fastest.
5. Mathematikum, Giessen, Germany
This museum offers hands-on interaction with over 170 math-related exhibits. On three floors of exhibits, students can make music, build bridges, embody the golden ratio and much more. The museum relies on sensory experiences to make sense of the ideas that underpin key math insights. Through all kinds of experiments and puzzles, students can gain insight into complex math concepts. They can explore the properties of soap while standing inside a giant soap bubble and experience pi spatially.
Conclusion
Field trips outside of the classroom can help students to see mathematics in a whole new light. They can explore, discover and have fun with math concepts and problems in a real-world context. Fostering enthusiasm for math is particularly useful when math becomes more abstract for students. When they see the real-life application of complex concepts, they start to make more sense. This can give students the motivation they need to work hard at math inside the classroom.
Author’s Bio
Connie Elser works as a textbook writer, blogger and essay writer. She’s got some charming style of writing that her work always ranks high when it’s about book sales or blog ranking in search engines. She gained this experience through some popular writing mentors. She’s currently developing the plot of her book on the state of education in South Asian countries.
