Sharks, Minnows, and Wheelbarrows: Calculus Modeling Projects

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present two very active applied modeling projects that were successfully implemented in a first semester calculus course at Hollins University. The first project uses a logistic equation to model the spread of a new disease such as swine flu. The second project is a human take on the popular article "Do Dogs Know Calculus?" [3]. These projects take interactivity to new levels in mathematics courses by actually requiring the students to engage in physical activity to generate the facts that they will analyze using calculus, while also presenting students with a life lesson to take with them after the course. The benefits that students get from these projects outweigh the loss of the small amount of lecture time required to collect the necessary data.