Uses pentominoes to examine the concepts of congruence, similarity, transformations, tessellations, networks, perimeter, area, and volume in a problem-solving, cooperative learning environment. Discusses the construction of three-dimensional pentominoes. (YP)

Discusses an art activity for kindergarten students that reinforces the idea that patterns are made from repeating a line or shape. The lesson uses circular rather than linear patterns and can be completed in a 40-minute class period. (CMK)

A problem sometimes called Moser's circle problem where a circular region has to be partitioned with chords without any three chords intersecting at one point, is discussed. It is shown that Moser's circle problem makes the students to use a variety of mathematical tools to find correct solutions to problems and gives an opportunity to think about…

Explores the following classical problem: given any 30 points on a circle, join them in pairs by segments in all possible ways. What is the greatest number of nonoverlapping regions into which the interior of the circle can be separated? Presents strategies for solving this problem. (PK)

In the manufacturing industry, many complex tasks are taught through an apprenticeship program; the experience and expertise gained through years of practice is invaluable to the industry and can be lost if not properly captured and transferred. This paper reports on the design of a training system that combines the use of computer-based…

Discusses six activities from concrete to abstract related to geometric patterns. The stages of the activities are familiarization, starting point, walkabout, do-it-yourself, and investigation. Provides pictures of diverse patterns. (YP)

Discusses the golden ratio and how to make golden triangles using recursive Logo programs. Presents some outputs of the Penrose tile patterns. (YP)

Using the seasons in the science classroom increases student observation skills as they focus on subtle differences such as shades of color and differences in structures. In this article, the author presents a variety of activities that can help students identify and demonstrate patterns and changes in leaf or plant development. The ability to…

Investigates the arithmetic curiosity that when any integer is raised to the fifth power, the digits unit of the result is always the same as the digits unit of the original number. Explores results in number bases other than 10 via the computer. (PK)

Combining both the Western perspective of creativity as productivity and the Eastern perspective of creativity as enlightenment, a Program for Enlightened and Productive Creativity (PEPC) for teaching inquiry was devised. The PEPC describes stages through which a student is guided to solve a problem using increasingly complex observation, inquiry,…

A project was undertaken to identify machine shop occupations requiring workers to use computers, identify the computer skills needed to perform machine shop tasks, and determine which software products are currently being used in machine shop programs. A search of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles revealed that computer skills will become…

Presents four lesson plans centered around artworks involving Japanese clothing. Instructional materials include color plates of a 19th century print showing women's clothing, two beautifully handcrafted coats, and a coverlet in kimono form. The lesson plans discuss Japanese clothing, art, society, and culture. (MJP)