Patchwork  |  228 views  |  home  | Dutch version |  Classroom materials,
motivating pupils for math and science
The activity



Dutch Mathematics Day Contest 2014 (age group 15 years old)
Patchwork

Patchwork is a form of needlework that involves sewing together pieces of fabric into a larger design. They are often colourful and the diverse types of patches are stitched together in regular patterns, in these instances they often show a repetition or symmetry. During this Mathematics Day you will investigate the regular patterns in patchwork. You will also investigate how many different types of patchwork quilts you can create based on just one type of patch. Of course we will also appeal to your creativity to come to an original final product!
Background information

Dutch Mathematics Day Contest

During the Dutch Mathematics Day Contest students work in teams of about 3 to 4 members on an open mathematical problem solving task during a couple of hours. The product of this work is a report (and sometimes a presentation).


Dutch Mathematics Day Contest
Using your skills in a new setting
  • The task gives the students the opportunity to show what they have learned from mathematics and how they can use the knowledge and skills in a new situation.
  • Students can try, analyze, reason, calculate en design;
  • The (context of the) task is authentic, while the mathematics knowledge is easy to (re)use in this new situation;
  • Different teams can work 'on their own level' and this gives opportunities for differentiation;
  • There is a structure in the task from 'easy first steps' to a more complex end task.

Online learning objects from the Freudenthal Institute (Utrecht University)