Mathematics of Voting

 STEM Thursday, Browne Middle School, November 3rd, 2016

Presenters:  Dr. Bruun, Ms. Dion, Ms. Flanigan, Mr. Hastey, Ms. Moore, Ms. Rodriguez, Ms. Scherer, Ms. Solis, Ms. Stephens, Ms. Vasquez

ENGAGE

Mathematics of Voting 5E Lesson Plan

Mathematics of Voting Student Guide Grades Six and Seven

Mathematics of Voting Grades Eight and Algebra

  • Do you think that we should choose a president by a coin toss?

  • What is the fairest way to choose a president?

EXPLORE

Candy Ballots

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Candy Simulation

  • Popular Vote

  • Representative Vote

  • Modified Electoral College

  • Electoral College

Which method do you think is the most fair?

Which is the best way to decide?

Can you think of a way to make the system even better?

electoral-map

EXPLAIN

How does the electoral college work?

ELABORATE

Electoral College and Population Reference Sheet

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Is the United States’ voting system proportional?

  • What percent of the total population is California?

  • What percent of the electoral votes does it get?

  • What percent of the total population is Wyoming?

  • What percent of the electoral votes does it get?

  • What percent of the population is Texas?

  • What percent of the electoral votes does it get?

  • What equation would represent the relationship between the population of a state and the number of electoral votes it receives?

  • Is the relationship proportional or non proportional?

EVALUATE

Do you think the United States’ voting system is fair? 

Can you think of a way to make the system better?

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