Open Educational Resources at UCSC

This is a project-based assignment for students enrolled in the College Algebra course at UCSC.  The project is developed to assess students' understanding of functions and their properties as foundational knowledge for future scientific inquiries. Alongside understanding the theoretical concept of functions provided in the traditional format using definitions and multiple representations, this project will connect theory to practice. This assignment will connect their theoretical mathematical understanding to real-world applications relevant to most college students’ lives, namely, how sleeping is connected to academic success (as shown through GPA). The process of contextualizing data through analysis of a research paper will support their learning of STEM skills necessary for future courses. The analysis and interpretation of the data strive to make a long-term retention of the course curriculum as part of students’ significant learning that is founded in an authentic research context.