Reflective Properties of Conics and How They Affect the Workings of the Telescope

Description:  Having studied conics and their reflective properties, students will now have an opportunity to see these properties in action via the telescope.

Instructional Objective:  Students will relate prior knowledge of conics and their relective properties to a practical application, the telescope and construct a valid rendition of this instrument.

Content:  The project coordinator will arrange with Dr. Telescope the time and information needed prior to class.  Students will review all reflective properties of conics through the worksheet provided by the coordinator.  Contact will then be made with Dr. Telescope, and all students will have an opportunity to not only learn how the telescope works, but be able to ask questions about the topic.  Once the presentation by Dr. Telescope and the questionning by the students is completed, the project will be presented to the students.  Students are to design their own telescopes, using all information collected.  Mastery of topic will be demonstrated through the construction of a valid rendition of a telescope.

Grade Level:  Algebra II

Activities:

• Review reflective properties via worksheet
• Collect information through exchange with Dr. Telescope
• Design on paper their own ideas for the ultimate telescope

Timeline:  One week should be sufficient time to complete this

               project.

Assessment:  Major grade will be based on level of intricacy and

                   workability of design.