Mount Eliza Secondary College Maths 300 Activity

1. Mount Eliza Secondary CollegeMaths 300 Activity Protons and Antiprotons

2. Introduction • Students were asked their thoughts on Matter which then led onto what Antimatter was. • A newspaper article was read out about Antimatter and we discovered that a Proton and an Antiproton cancel each other out.

3. The Process • A variety of questions were asked and completed both on the board and using the computer software. • Students then started completing Proton and Antiproton Grids.

4. Some students needed to use counters to help them to complete these.

5. The Connection • We then explored to connection between Positive and Negative numbers and Protons and Antiprotons and completed more grids for these.

6. The Ending • Students then wrote a report about their findings. • The headings I gave them were: “What was the problem?” “What did we do?” “What did we find?”

7. Student Thoughts • When we were making the connection between Protons and Antiprotons, and Positive and Negative numbers, a few students asked the question: “Does 3 – 4 mean 3 + -4 or 3 – +4?” After completing both questions with Protons and Antiprotons students realised that there was no difference. • Some students needed to write their positive and negative numbers as Protons and Antiprotons. • Some students found it difficult to then switch to different processes and still wanted to refer to Protons and Antiprotons when multiplying and dividing numbers. • Some students worked out a pattern of when they needed to add or subtract the numbers and whether the answer was an A or P.

8. Student Comments • Preferred to do the Maths 300 activity than doing normal maths work. • Doesn’t see any need for the activity. • The activity made it a bit more confusing for some. • Interesting and something different. • Some found it made working out questions easier. • Liked the activity because it was different. • Made a better introduction to the topic.