Laboratory on Mathematics and Mathematics Education/Fermi Questions

Task 1: Characters in your life
Answer the question for yourself: "How many characters have you read in your life?" After 10 minutes, discuss the problem and find a solution as group (think-pair-share, active plenum).


 * Your results: Model of reality

Task 2: Mozambican Fermi questions
Create a list of Fermi questions which are related to Mozambican culture and life.


 * Your results: Fermi questions

Task 3: Think about Fermi questions!
Answer the following questions for yourself:


 * 1) What are the characteristics of Fermi questions?
 * 2) Why should Fermi questions be part of mathematics in school? Find some arguments!

Collect the answers in the group (think-pair-share, active plenum).


 * Your results: arguments pro Fermi questions and contra Fermi questions

Task 4: Cars in Mozambique
Reflect on the mathematical modeling process by answering the Fermi question "How many cars are in Mozambique?". What has to be done in each step of the process?

Task 5: Introducing Fermi questions
When students are not used to Fermi questions, they have problems to solve them. It's the teachers responsibility to help them. How can students be supported when they answer Fermi questions for the first time? Collect your results!


 * Your results

Links and Materials

 * Introduction to Fermi questions
 * Introduction to cognitive apprenticeship
 * Wikipedia article about Enrico Fermi
 * Wikipedia article about Fermi questions
 * Louisiana Lessons Web Activity