Desmos Graphing: A Picture Project That Brings Math and Art Together

As a math educator, I've always sought ways to make my lessons more engaging and meaningful for my students. One project that has stood out in recent years is our Desmos graphing picture project. To my surprise, many students used 30+ equations and the quality of their work was truly amazing.

The idea behind this project was to give students ownership over their learning by providing general instructions and allowing them to take creative control. I asked for at least ten equations with different domain/range restrictions, but beyond that, I let them run wild. The results were astonishing, as they created a variety of projects that showcased their math skills in unique ways.

Our first project centered around school spirit at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, NY. Students had so much fun with it that we actually had three art projects during the school year. One particularly successful assignment was our Desmos Art Project, which allowed students to express their creativity while demonstrating mastery of polynomial and rational functions.

In today's tech-savvy world, it can be challenging to keep students engaged when they have access to step-by-step solutions at their fingertips. However, by giving them choice in how they demonstrate their learning, I've found that students are more invested in the process and produce higher-quality work. Our Desmos graphing picture project is a perfect example of this.

Over my twelve years as a math educator, I've learned that providing options for student demonstration helps to foster authentic work. This approach not only keeps students engaged but also allows them to develop valuable skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.

In our Desmos graphing picture project, students were able to showcase their mathematical knowledge in a fun and interactive way. By giving them the freedom to choose their own projects, we encouraged them to think creatively and push themselves beyond what they thought was possible. The results were truly amazing, and I'm excited to see how this project will continue to evolve in future years.

Desmos graphing a picture project