APPLICATION ACTIVITY

Using Excel in the spirit of Halloween

The M&M’s Project

This is a simple activity that can really get your kids excited about Math. It is simple to do and can get the kids using both online resources and application software, for when you’re in your classroom with no Internet connection to help you out.

One example of using this project can be found at http://home.att.net/~huntercollege/EDC714/math.html

A version of this project can be found online at:

http://mighty-mm-math.caffeinated.org/main.htm

Mighty m&m Math teaches fractions and percentages in a motivating and mouth-watering way. Using bags of m&m's, it answers these questions:

1. What is the percentage of each color?
2. Are the percentages similar worldwide?

		one bag (1.69 oz) plain (not peanut) m&m's per two or four students
		calculators
		data tables (click here to see a sample)
		Mars Company site

This activity can be varied to fit your purposes and class level. It takes 1-1/2 hours for my class of 32 sixth grade students working in pairs, recording their own data, and posting their information. It helps if students know how to make averages and percentages.

		Divide class into partners or small groups.
		Predict (1) total number of m&ms in each bag, (2) the most and least common colors, and (3) the class' favorite color.
		Determine the groups' actual number of each color.
		Determine the groups' percentages.
		Determine class average percentage for each color.
		Submit information from # 5 rounded to the nearest whole number.
		Analyze results.

		Graph class data.
		Enter class data on a spreadsheet.
		Repeat the activity using other sizes of bags, or peanut m&ms.
		Visit the m&m baking bits home page.
		Write to the Mars Company about its history and ask how they allocate colors, etc.
		Display worldwide results on a wall-sized spreadsheet, and integrate with a map skills lesson.

Judy Conklin [Project Teacher]
jconklin@main.slocs.k12.ca.us
North Oceano School
2101 The Pike
Grover Beach, CA 93433

Marcie Longstaff [Site Developer]
gimmetwo@earthlink.net
Scottsdale, AZ

Grant Conklin [Site Developer]
gconklin@home.com
Fremont, CA

This site was created by Judy's son and daughter in respect to bringing education to the Web. It is a self-sustaining site in order to eliminate registration and deadlines.