Project Title

Students Rule!

 

Introduction

Student Councils play an important part in many schools across the country.  The members are elected to office and are part of the democratic process within the school.  Student council members raise money for school-wide activities, coordinate school social events and community projects, and work to share student ideas with school administration.  Becoming involved in a student council is a great way to begin learning about the democratic process in action!   

 

Task

Working together with your group, you will use algebra to help plan the best class party within the student council’s budget.  There are three major decisions that need to be made:  food vendor, party rental, and DJ.  Once you have made a decision on each item, your group will work to prepare a presentation for approval by the student council.

 

Instructions

Solve each problem in order.  Save your work along the way, as you will create a professional presentation at the conclusion of the project.

 

1                     First problem:

·                     There are two food vendors to consider.  Event Solutions charges a one-time fee of $300 for table rentals and then $5 per person for food and drink. Parties Made Easy charges $8 per person for an all-inclusive event.  The fee per person includes food and drink, as well as tables. 

 

·                     If the student council has a budget of $2,000 for food and tables, how many people could attend if Event Solutions is used?  How many people could attend if the student council chooses Parties Made Easy?  Which vendor should be used?  Justify your answer.

 

Hint:  (Use algebra to set up an equation for the total cost of using Event Solutions, based on the number of people, p.  Then set up a second equation to represent the total cost of using Parties Made Easy, based on number of people, p.)

 

2                     Second problem:

·                     The next item for consideration is choosing a party rental company.  The student council has decided to rent an inflatable bungee race and obstacle course. You will use algebra to determine which party rental company is the better option.  Acme Party Rental has offered a price of $200 per hour with a delivery fee of $250 and a set-up fee of $250.  Rentals-R-Us has offered a price of $350 per hour with free delivery and a $100 set up fee.   

 

·                     If the student council has a budget of $1500 for the party rentals, how many hours could the equipment be rented if Acme Party Rentals is chosen?  How many hours could the equipment be rented if the student council chooses Rentals-R-Us?  Which vendor should be used?  Justify your answer. 

 

Hint:  (Use algebra to set up an equation for the total cost of using Acme Party Rental, based on the number of hours, h.  Then set up a second equation to represent the total cost of using Rentals-R-Us, based on number of hours, h.) 

 

3          Third Problem:

·                     The final decision to be made for the party is selecting a DJ.  Tunes, Inc. will provide a DJ for $125 per hour with a set-up fee of $325.  Music Innovations has offered a price of $165 per hour with no set-up fee. 

 

·                     If the student council has a budget of $825 for the DJ, how many hours could be afforded if Tunes, Inc. is chosen?  How many hours could be afforded if they choose Rentals-R-Us?  Which DJ should be used?  Justify your answer. 

 

Hint:  (Use algebra to set up an equation for the total cost of using Tunes, Inc., based on the number of hours, h.  Then set up a second equation to represent the total cost of using Music Innovations, based on number of hours, h.) 

 

4          Fourth problem:

·                     If your school has a student council, interview the members to discover what major projects are being worked on.   What are the main budget-related decisions that need to be made?  What are the variables involved?  What needs to be addressed in order to find a solution?  Could algebra help solve the problem?  How?

 

·                     If your school does not have a student council, research the National Association of Student Councils’ website for more information.  Who would need to be contacted for approval in order to start a program? 

 

National Association of Student Councils: http://www.nasc.us/

 

Collaboration

Compare your algebraic equations and solutions with another group.  Discuss any differences.  Work together to ensure that both groups have the algebra set up and solved correctly.  Then, share your research about your student council.  Consider working together to write a letter to your school’s student council sponsor about your project and research.  If your school does not currently have a student council, consider writing a letter to inquire about starting a program.    

 

Conclusions

In order to gain approval for the decisions about the party, all student council members would need to agree that the decisions make financial sense.  Create a professional looking slide show presentation to bring before the student council to convince them that each decision is sound.  For each of the problems, include the algebraic equation, step-by-step algebraic solution, and the final decision.

 

·         Free Download for Microsoft Power Point: http://www.openoffice.us.com

 

·         Google Docs: http://docs.google.com

Google Docs will allow real-time collaboration on a document outside of school.  The document can be shared between all group members.

 

Grade

Your project will be given a score of 1 to 4, with 4 being the highest score possible. You will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

 

Score

Content

Presentation

4

Your project appropriately answers each of the problems.  Your algebraic equations are set up properly.  The step-by-step solution to each equation is given. 

 

Your project correctly identifies which vendor is the better choice for the party and justifies the decision mathematically.

Your project contains information presented in a logical and interesting sequence that is easy to follow.

 

Your project is professional looking with graphics and effective use of color. 

 

3

Your project answers each of the problems.  Your algebraic equations are set up and step-by-step solutions are given.  Minor errors may be noted. 

 

Your project identifies which vendor is the better choice for the party and justifies the decision mathematically. Minor errors may be noted.

Your project contains information presented in a logical sequence that is easy to follow.

 

Your project is neat with graphics and effective use of color. 

 

2

Your project attempts to answer each of the problems. Algebraic equations are attempted and solutions are given.  Major errors are noted. 

 

Your project attempts to identify which vendor is the better choice for the party and justifies the decision mathematically. Major errors are noted.

Your project is hard to follow because the material is presented in a manner that jumps around between unconnected topics.

 

Your project contains low quality graphics and colors that do not add interest to the project.

1

Your project attempts to answer some of the problems.  Some algebraic equations attempted and solutions are given; however, little to no work is shown.  Major errors are noted.

 

Your project attempts to identify which vendor is the better choice for the party but does not justify the decision mathematically. Major errors are noted.

Your project is difficult to understand because there is no sequence of information.

 

Your project is missing graphics and uses little to no color.

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