The students of Konocti Education Center completed a math project on this task: ‘Use properties of lines and angles to create an original gate design for the front of the school. Utilize formal construction techniques to draw a scale model of your design.’ They had to write letters asking for funding, they learned how to properly use basic tools like tape measures, levels, and squares, they learned about welding and fabrication and had a guest speaker come talk to them, and when it was all said and done had to present to a panel. The students put an unexpected spin on the project: Many of their designs became focused around showing off the identity of their school. They talked about how for so many people in the community our campus is still though of as the ‘old Oak Hill’ and how they wanted the community to know who we are. They wanted to leave their mark and they did just that. The new gate — a combination of two winning designs — is now up at the front of campus. Seeing that math is not just something done on paper, but that it has applications in the real world across different disciplines, was really powerful for the students. – Contributed photo
