Individual Project Reflection
- What challenges did you face along the way?
Choosing to research and create a product that would demonstrate an unsolved math problem was harder than we originally thought. Not only did we have to research how to attempt to solve the problem, we decided to create a puzzle and show how to begin solving the Collatz Conjecture. The biggest challenge for my partner Karina and I was the actual creation of the puzzle in Adobe Illustrator. We decided to challenge ourselves and push ourselves to the next level and we decided to use our unique resources that are available to us as students of High Tech High. Because of this, we needed to create a - How did you know you were done with your final product?
It was pretty obvious when we knew that we were done with our final product. This was when we were removing the pieces of the puzzle out of the laser cutter. It was a long process to get to this point and we were so excited when we finally finished. We had the product in our hand and it was a really good feeling. - Where is literacy in the process or product of this project?
In terms of our final product, there was not a lot of literacy involved. However, we had to do lots of research and reading to try and understand how to begin to solve the Collatz Conjecture. We also ended up having a five page write up that we completed. It was very concise and specific and included the entire history of the Collatz Conjecture. - What new ideas or concepts were you introduced to during this project?
During this project, I was introduced to the various unsolved problems including all of the Millenium Problems. We were not directly assigned to work with the Collatz Conjecture. Because of this, we had to research all of the Millenium Problems and the role that they play in the world of mathematics. - What has changed about the way you think through problems or situations after completing this project? If nothing has changed, why do you think that is?
Even though our problem is unsolved, we were able to use our basic math skills and put them to the test when trying to solve for the Collatz Conjecture. While these skills may have been elementary skills, they are important to know when attempting other problems. In terms of real world problems, I do not think nothing has changed. I do not think I had to deal with group stress or stress while trying to understand the problem. I also had a really great partner to work with and we had no problem evenly dividing up the work that is needed. - What questions do you still have about your topic?
After doing tons of work and research on this unsolved math problem, I do not have any major questions about my project topic. I look forward to learning more about the Millenium and unsolved problems through future math classes and projects. - What further research and/or revisions would you make to your product or write-up?
I do not feel that I need to make any more revisions or do any more research on my product and my final write-up. I spent a lot of time working to understand how our problem works as well as how our final write-up sounds and looks. I am really happy with our final product for this project. I spent a lot of time working to understand how this unsolved math problem came to be and I am very happy with how the final exhibition was as well.
Below is the link for our project writeup:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QPmsatPt2gO4TLut35Z11oMxxhxuCAC0ywFaBUudg3M/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QPmsatPt2gO4TLut35Z11oMxxhxuCAC0ywFaBUudg3M/edit?usp=sharing