Age Range: 11 and up (Grades 5 and up. Age/grade range varies – use parental discretion and supervision) This website provides short instructional math videos that can be used to supplement math studies. The videos consist of a narrated lecture and animations that illustrate the concept being discussed. The videos are enabled for iPhone, iPod and iPad devices for portable, on-the-go learning.
When you get to the website you’ll see a menu of math videos that include topics such as:
- Triangular Numbers (Parts I, II & III) – Elementary explanation of triangular numbers, a general formula for the sum of an arithmetic progression, and a solution to the Recursive equation.
- Mathematical Induction (Parts I, II, & III) – Explains the Method of Mathematical Induction. Discussion of Francesco Maurolico, Pascal and John Wallis, plus Fermat’s Method of infinite descent, etc.
- Weaving Numbers – Explanation of Vedic multiplication or weaving multiplication. Includes Fibonacci’s sieve or lattice multiplication, and more.
- Dimension 2 – Explains how two numbers can describe the position of a point on a sphere, and how one can draw a picture of the Earth on a piece of paper.
- The Fourth Dimension – Mathematician Ludwig Schläfli discusses objects in the fourth dimension.
- Complex Numbers – Mathematician Adrien Douady explains the square root of negative numbers in simple terms.
- Pi – An explanation and illustration of the most famous mathematical constant.
The narrator on some of the videos speaks in a monotone voice with an accent, so we found it necessary to really pay attention to hear and understand the lectures. Fortunately, the animated illustrations help the viewer to maintain focus.
Age Range: Varies (All require parental preview and supervision) This is a collaboration by mathematicians who have recorded videos to share the wonder of math through interesting activities, funny stories, and challenging puzzles and concepts.
When you get to the site you’ll see the menu of short math-themed videos including:
- Where Does River Water Go?
- Amazing Graphs
- Frieze Patterns
- James Card Trick
- Tribonacci Numbers
- And many, many more
Select the topics that appeal to the interest and ability level of any given student and enjoy the video presentation.
IMPORTANT: Because some of the presentations are geared for older audiences, parents should preview the videos and supervise Internet activity.
We couldn’t find “about” information on the site, so it’s not clear who is providing the info or why. Currently, there are no advertisements on the site, and all of the videos can be accessed for free, without registration.
This is a helpful resource for supplementing the study of various math concepts.
Age Range: 7-16 (Grades 2-11, with parental supervision) This website offers free, sample math games (from its commercially available game-based learning system) that challenge and entertain students.
You can try snippets of the games for free, or register as a teacher/principal of your school to play the games in their entirety. Registration is free without obligation to purchase. Should you decide to purchase a subscription to the program, you’ll be able to access additional tools to save games, track your student’s progress, etc.
When you get to the site, scroll down to locate a menu of sample games designed to engage students such as:
- A Tangled Web – angle puzzles
- Bubble Function – arithmetic, exponents and scientific notation
- Deepest Ocean – inequalities
- Flower Power – decimals, fractions and percents
- Graphs of the Galaxy – linear equations
- Ice Ice Maybe – estimation
- and more!
Click on any one to read the instructions and begin the game. Things move quickly – so be prepared to be on your toes!
As it says on the site, “Get your child excited, engaged and excelling at math.”
Age Range: 11-18 (Grades 6-12, with parental supervision)
The Science Friday website is a companion to the weekly science talk show, broadcast on PBS.
Each week, the host Ira Flatow, a science journalist, moderates a panel discussion among expert guests on science topics that are in the news such as:
- NASA To Launch An Eye In The Sky For Asteroids
- Why AI Is A Growing Part Of The Criminal Justice System
- Widening The Lens On A More Inclusive Science
- SciFri Book Club: One For The Birds
- Where There’s Thunder, There’s Lightning Science
- and many more
When you get to the site, scroll down to the topic of choice where you can listen to a segment or the whole episode. Or scroll all the way down to choose by topic:
- Physics & Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Space
- Health
- Biology
- Nature
- and more
But that’s not all…
Use the menu at the top of the page to:
- Explore – Read Articles, Listen to Audios, Watch Videos and more
- Educate – Scroll through the educational resources or choose by grade level, duration or subject
There is a lot of rich content archived at this site that can be used to explore science topics in depth – or simply to spark conversations to peak interest in science.
As always, we recommend that parents preview this site to determine if the content is suitable for their own children.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
