Ideally, the project will be assigned after or during the trig functions unit, so students already have the foundation needed to examine and manipulate trigonometric functions properly.  Here are some prior skills lessons that would help the students understand transforming functions and more specifically  sinusoidal functions.  Regression features using the Texas Instrument are also included.  

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If students are familiar with tidal charts, they might see the connection between tides and sinusoidal functions.  If not, we could encourage them to attempt plotting the information to see what patterns might be revealed. See the example found in prior skills: Sinusoidal Regressions.

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Plotting sinusoidal functions (and even just the points of the tides) can be messy; using technology can streamline this process and help students plot and re-plot their work more quickly than by hand.

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Data Students can Collect:

• Tide chart times (e.g. height of tides by hour)

• Optimal tide height for hiking vs. kayaking.

• Busyness of Hopewell Rocks on given weekends.

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Data can be recorded via Google Sheets and the trend-line feature should be demonstrated prior to this model.   

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An educator should show their students how to use programs such as Desmos to analyze their data.  In our classroom, DESMOS will be highly recommended because rather than performing a regression and letting the technology do all the work, the students will be encouraged to adjust parameters for lines of best fit using sliders.  While the students use the sliders to manipulate parameters, they will be able to see the transformations that take place. This will allow for a deeper understanding of how the parameters transform the function.  It may not be as precise as the technology developed regression, but the learning that will take place will far exceed regressions to get the answer. An introduction to Desmos using the previous happy clients who explored Tofino, would be a useful task.   

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The students’ findings could be reported via a presentation (Slides, PowerPoint), or it could be a brochure for the Coast-to-Coast Canada highlighting a weekend getaway to Hopewell Rocks.   

 

  

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