In this section we have highlighted three quality math webquests selected by one of our math content specialists. We hope you will find them useful as both inspiration for your own webquest design and as classroom activities for use with your students. For science examples, see Exemplary Science Webquests. You can also explore the math quests spotlighted in the article "Webquests for Science and Mathematics ." For those quests that have been added to the ENC Collection, you can click on the ENC number for a complete description of that resource.
The citizens of the planet Zonetia request that your class create a number system for this newly discovered civilization. On this planet everyone has four fingers--two on each hand. Therefore, as it says in the Task, "they need a specially tailored number system with only four symbols." In order to best "preserve Zony culture, the king has requested that the new number symbols be different than those used on Earth." Through well-supported role descriptions and carefully selected Internet sites, students consider the following math questions in depth: Why does our number system have place value? and How does place value work? ENC-028642
This well-constructed webquest is a problem-solving unit that disguises every academic goal within a professional task to be completed. Students investigate the question: What would an Egyptian pyramid cost to build today? The Task asks students to prepare a bid on constructing a pyramid "using modern materials but ancient methods." They must investigate pyramid construction, figure various dimensions of the pyramid, and build a scale model. Then they determine the quantities of materials needed, the cost of materials today, and find the total cost of the project. Teams submit the formal bid, cost spreadsheet included, and present their report in a "press conference." To further emphasize the professional nature of the project, they are told that "only the lowest bidding company will be awarded the job." ENC-025768
How should NBA players' salaries be structured? In this webquest scenario, the NBA Players Union is threatening to go on strike again for higher salaries. After reading information from various sources and answering questions dealing specifically with their role, the students will hold a salary arbitration meeting to decide how to structure players' salaries. Students in each group are assigned roles that will bring them into conflict and require them to defend their position: NBA player, sports agent, team owner, professor of economics, and legal scholar of ethics. Each role involves investigating questions and analyzing information gathered from the Internet. Mathematically, the project requires students to consider salaries, living costs, retirement plans, arena expenses, etc., and to compare these various income and expense flows. Students then make use of the data in presenting their positions in the salary dispute. This site, awarded five stars by BestWebQuests.com, features well-developed role pages with engaging questions and carefully selected sites that support investigation of the underlying question: What do we value in American society?
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