Move the Cone

In this Math in Motion Plus activity, students will write their own program for the TI-Innovator™ Rover. They will use several commonly used Rover and basic calculator commands while exercising their knowledge of polygons, the coordinate plane, and equations of lines to write code to have the Rover complete a series of challenges. Students will progress through a series of challenges to build skills and then attempt a more complex final challenge. Student “Challenge” cards have been provided and can be printed/cut into individual task cards, and distributed to students (optional).

Material List:

• 3’x3’ Butcher paper
• 3 colors of sticky dots
• Miniature traffic cones (or some other object(s) to move)

Math Topic: Algebra 1 — the coordinate plane, collinear points, equations of lines

Navigate “Math-hattan” Challenge

In this Math in Motion Plus activity, students will write their own program for the TI-Innovator™ Rover. Students will use measurement of distance and angles to write code to explore a set of preliminary challenges. Students will then apply their knowledge of the relationships among distance, rate and time to write equations to optimize routes through a “city” (Math-hattan) or maze with obstacles. Student “Challenge” cards have been provided and can be printed/cut into individual task cards, and distributed to students (optional).

Material List:

• “City Scape”- can be constructed of various materials (see activity sheet for options)
• Masking tape
• Meter sticks or measuring tapes and protractors
• Miniature traffic cones to temporarily block paths, and challenge students as needed, once activity has begun

Math Topic: Algebra I — Linear Equations and Distance, Rate and Time

Drive the Line Challenge

In this Math in Motion Plus activity, students will write their own program for the TI-Innovator™ Rover. They will explore multiple representations of position, velocity and time to write code that will navigate a set of challenges. Students will apply their knowledge of the relationships between position vs. time graphs and velocity vs. time graphs, and their verbal descriptions, to write programs for Rover to carry out the motion described. The “Challenge” cards provided can be printed and/or cut into individual task cards and distributed to students (optional).

Material List:

• Number line for positioning Rover for each challenge (scale should use 10 cm units as shown in the activity sheet)

Math Topic: Algebra I — Linear Equations modeling position as a function of time

Driving Inequalities Challenge

In this Math in Motion Plus activity, students will write their own program for the TI-Innovator™ Rover. Students will explore inequalities and the number line while writing code to navigate a set of challenges. They will apply their knowledge of compound inequalities to write programs for Rover to demonstrate the inequalities on the number line. This activity is appropriate for students familiar with graphing inequalities on a number line diagram. Student “Challenge” cards have been provided and can be printed/cut into individual task cards, and distributed to students (optional).

Material List:

• Number line for position. Use a 2 meter course, from -10 units to +10 units. (1 Rover unit = 10 cm)

Math Topic: Middle Grades — inequalities, number lines

TI-84 Plus CE activity files TI-84 Plus CE Python activity files TI-Nspire™ activity files TI-Nspire™ CX II Python activity files