Applications in M ath an d Physi

Applications in Math an d Physics Honors

Course Description

Applications in Math and Physics Honors will cover the connection between mathematics, physics, and
architecture. We will primarily be using the City of Chicago and its rich architectural history to make these
connections between math, science, and architecture. Students will also explore math and architecture
through hands-on activities, various case studies and readings, and several field trips to Chicago and its
surrounding areas.

Outcomes

• Students will be familiar with the basic elements of constructions and how structures work.
• Students will be able to use proportions and ratios to create architectural drawings
• Students will be able to use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the height of a building.
• Students will use the golden ratio to find important architectural relationships.
• Students will discuss effective planning of rooms, homes, neighborhoods, and cities.
• Students will discover the architecture of Chicago and make connections to their own respective
homes and neighborhoods.
• Students will develop effective written and oral communication skills, especially the ability to
transmit complex technical information in a clear and concise manner.

Resources and Materials

Text: Pridmore, J., Larson, G., Blessing, H. Chicago Architecture and Design Revised ed. Chicago: Harry N.
Abrams, 2005.

Supplemental Readings: Selections from the following:
Kahim, B. Why Architecture Matters: Lessons from Chicago. Chicago: University of Chicago Press , 2001.
Levys, M., Panchyk, R. Engineering the City. Chicago: Chicago Review Press , In., 2000.
O'Gorman, J. ABC of Architecture. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press , 1998.
Salvadori, M. The Art of Construction. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, Inc., 1990.

Materials: Students should come to class with pen/pencil, paper, ruler, compass, 3-ring binder, and
textbook.

Student Evaluation and Grading Policies for Credit Courses Only

A+ 100-97% A 96-93% A- 92-90%
B+ 89-87% B 86-83% B- 82-80%
C+ 79-77% C 76-73% C- 72-70%
D+ 69-67% D 66-63% D- 62-60%
F below 60%        

Student grades will be calculated using the following criteria:

Tests and Quizzes: Students will have two assessments that will cover architectural vocabulary, math
concepts, and the history of math and science in architecture.

Participation: Each student will be graded on their participation in discussions related to the readings,
activities, field trips, and presentations.

Portfolio: Students will create and maintain a portfolio that will contain the results of all activities, journal
writings, field notes, and other projects undertaken in class.

Instructor Biography
David Chan currently teaches Chemistry at Evanston Township High School in Evanston, Illinois. He
taught Chemistry, Physics, Algebra , and Geometry for five years at Roycemore School, also in Evanston,
Illinois. Mr. Chan holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry from Northwestern University and a
Master of Arts in Teaching from National-Louis University. When he is not in the Chemistry lab, Mr. Chan
can be found on the basketball court as an assistant coach for the ETHS Girls' Varsity team, behind his
computer as an instructor with CTD's Learning Links program, or on the couch watching his beloved Cubs
struggle through yet another losing season. This is Mr. Chan's fourth summer teaching with CTD, and he is
looking forward to exploring the city of Chicago and its surrounding area where he has lived for his entire
life.

Schedule

Session I: Sunday, June 24, 2007 - Friday, July 13, 2007

Date(s) Topic(s) Activities Assignments and/or
Assessment
Instructional
Strategies
Sunday, June
24
Orientation Introductions    
Monday, June
25
Geometric Shapes
(2D and 3D)
Develop Class Rules
Activity: Blindfold Walk
Geometric Shapes in the
Environment
Shapes in Architecture
activity
Pre-assessment
Tuesday, June
26
Symmetry and
Asymmetry
Size and Scale
Approximation
Triangulation/Pacing
Basics
NU campus tour -
triangulation in practice
How Structures Work
Triangulation activity Problem Based
Learning in Lab
Wednesday,
June 27
One-Point
Perspective
Ratios and
Proportions

Golden Ratio
Proportion and Ratio
Frank Lloyd Wright
Activities
Watch Frank Lloyd
Wright PBS Video
Ratios and Proportions
activity
Compacting
Thursday,
June 28
Interiors Field Trip #1: Frank
Lloyd Wright Studio and
House in Oak Park
PF: FLW Studio
reflection
Flexible grouping
with lab groups
Friday, June
29
Materials Basics of Constructions
Choosing Materials in
Construction
Constructions activity
Tent Building Activity
Tiered activities
Independent
Study
Computer Lab
Monday, July
2
Structures Pythagorean Theorem,
Trig to find height of
building
Plan, Section, and
Evaluation
Assessment #1
Using the Pythagorean
Theorem
Compacting
Tuesday, July
3
Exteriors Video: Chicago's
Riverfront
Connections to own
house - Remodeling
Projects
Problem Based
Learning in Lab
Wednesday,
July 4
Interiors Field Trip #2: Frank
Lloyd Wright Robie
House in Hyde Park
PF: Frank Lloyd
Wright PhotoEssay
Flexible Grouping
Thursday,
July 5
The Home
Floor Plans
Scale and Ratio
Plan: Designing Dream
House
Activity: Plans
PF Floor Plans Computer Lab
Friday, July 6 Cities Video: The Loop: Where
the Skyscraper Began.
Continue work on
Floor Plans
Tiered Activities
Monday, July
9
Cities Field Trip #3: Chicago
River Architecture Tour
and Millennium Park
PF: Essay on
Form/Function: Oak
Park, Hyde Park,
Downtown Chicago
Flexible grouping
with lab groups
Tuesday, July
10
Neighborhoods
and Streets
Neighborhoods and City
Planning
Activity
Consider/Research your
own neighborhood
planning
Assessment #2
Neighborhoods
planning activity
Problem Based
Learning in Lab
Wednesday,
July 11
Cities Video: Chicago
Neighborhoods
City Planning Web Quest
Work on Portfolio Independent
Study
Computer Lab
Thursday,
July 12
Neighborhoods Field Trip #4: Bahai
Temple and Wilmette
Walking Tour
PF: Final Course
Reflection

Finish Portfolio

Independent
Study
Friday, July
13
Final Exam
Portfolio
Presentations
Parent/Teacher
Conferences (1-5pm)
none!  
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