Unit 2 18-21 Project

[VictoriaWeaver]

Find alternate project ideas

[VictoriaWeaver]

Redo the activity (steiner tree)

[VictoriaWeaver]

Possible activity:Use bubbles to explain steiner trees
When bubble collide and connect, the line connecting then creates the shortest path between points.

For two points, the shortest path is a straight line: http://math.berkeley.edu/~hutching/pub/sdb-156.jpeg

For three points, the s.p. is three straight lines connecting at a point in the middle of the three original points: http://parentteachplay.com/inlieuofpreschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/bubbles83.jpg

Pattern continues for infinite bubbles added.

The results of connecting bubbles are accurate for the shortest path.

Activity (Messy): Connect bubbles to illustrate steiner trees
Materials: Bubbles/soap, straw

Pour soap/bubbles onto a flat surface.
Use the straw to gently blow bubbles.
Point the straw in the direction of other bubbles to connect them (might be difficult)
Have the students look at each result after a bubble is added to the count.
They should see the lines of the bubbles connecting- those are the paths to take between points.

Note: clear bubbles may be difficult to see for visually impaired/blind students.
-Solution: maybe use colored bubbles? Will be messy

This activity may take up too much time/be too messy.
Est time: 40 minutes (with clean up).

Students will be interested and have fun.

[VictoriaWeaver]

Instead of soap bubbles, maybe use spheres or circles of playdough. Bright colors?
Blind students: feel the connections of each sphere.

Should be tested first: may not carry the same effect as bubbles for simulating the connections.
-should work in theory