Famous Mathematician Research Project

Purpose: To discover the lives that was led by men and women who developed mathematical ideas.
Goal: Write a research paper and create a poster other your chosen mathematician.

Famous Mathematician Research Paper Technical Details

o At least 3-pages typed
o Double-spaced, 12-point, Arial font
o 1 inch margins
o Minimum of three sources
o APA format in text and reference list
o No contractions
o No use of the impersonal you and your
o Evidence of plagiarism will result in an automatic zero
o Credible sources only
o DO NOT INCLUDE WHAT YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND. You do not have to understand the math
(calculus, etc.), but you do need to understand the contributions the math made and the importance of
the contribution.

Research Paper must include:

Title Page (1 page)

o Name of mathematician
o Picture of mathematician (if available)
o Dates of birth and death of
mathematician
o Researchers name
Research Paper (3+ pages)
o The early life of the mathematician
Date and location of birth and
death
Living conditions
Education (pre-college)
Famous influences
Family Life
Interesting aspects of the
mathematicians life

Adult Life
Education and conditions
Famous influences
o World Events during the
mathematicians life
o Contribution to Mathematics
What did they discover?
Why are they important to
mathematics?
o Importance of the contribution
Why is this contribution
important today?
How does it help us?
Do we do anything differently
because of their discovery?
References (1 page)
o

11x17 Poster must include

Prominent display of mathematician

At least 3 graphics related to the mathematician
At least 5 facts about the mathematician
Attractive layout and design
Must be PRINTED on 11x17 paper (we will print after I get back)
References listed on a separate paper

Famous Mathematician Research Project

Poster Rubric
Category
Graphics

Content
Attractiveness

Mechanics

Requirements

References

BONUS: Present your

poster to the class (35 minutes)

4 Exceptional
All graphics are
related to the
mathematician and
make the poster
stand out.
5+ facts listed and
add to the posters
design.
The poster is
exceptionally
attractive in terms of
design, layout, and
neatness.
Capitalization and
punctuation are
correct throughout
the poster.

3 Excellent
All graphics are
related to the
mathematician.

2 Mediocre
Most graphics relate
to the
mathematician.

1 Poor
Graphics are not
included or do not
relate to the
mathematician.

5 facts listed.

3-4 facts listed.

2 or fewer facts
listed.

The poster is
attractive in terms of
design, layout, and
neatness.

The poster is
acceptably attractive
and a bit messy.

The poster is
distractingly messy or
poorly designed.

There is one error in

capitalization or
punctuation.

There are 2 errors in

capitalization or
punctuation.

The poster
prominently displays
the mathematicians
names and is printed
on 11x17 paper.

The poster
prominently displays
the mathematicians
names or is printed
on 11x17 paper.

All references are

listed and in APA
format and signify
which piece of if
poster they go with.
All information
relevant information
presented with eye
contact and kept the
attention of the
audience. Able to
answer questions
from the audience.

All references are

listed and in APA
format.

Most references are

listed and in APA
format.

There are more than

2 errors in
capitalization or
punctuation.
The poster does not
prominently displays
the mathematicians
names and is not
printed on 11x17
paper.
Not all references are
listed and in APA
format.

All information
relevant information
presented with eye
contact and kept the
attention of the
audience.

Mostly relevant
information
presented with
minimal eye contact.
Mediocre audience
attention.

/18

Irrelevant information
presented, limited
eye contact, and lack
of attention from the
audience.

Famous Mathematician Research Project

Research Paper Rubric
Category
Title Page
Early Life
Adult Life
World Events
Contributions
Importance
References

4 Exceptional

Exceptional and
relevant information
included.
Exceptional and
relevant information
included.
Exceptional and
relevant information
included.
Exceptional and
relevant information
included.
Exceptional and
relevant information
included.
All references are
listed in APA format
and all in-text
citations are correct.

3 Excellent
All required
information is
present.
Relevant information
included.
Relevant information
included.
Relevant information
included.
Relevant information
included.
Relevant information
included.
1-2 reference list
errors and in-text
citation errors.

/21

2 Mediocre
2-3 required pieces of
information are
present.
Non-relevant or
insufficient
information included.
Non-relevant or
insufficient
information included.
Non-relevant or
insufficient
information included.
Non-relevant or
insufficient
information included.
Non-relevant or
insufficient
information included.
2-5 reference list
errors and in-text
citation errors.

1 Poor
Less than 2 pieces of
information are
present.
Non-relevant and
insufficient
information included.
Non-relevant and
insufficient
information included.
Non-relevant and
insufficient
information included.
Non-relevant and
insufficient
information included.
Non-relevant and
insufficient
information included.
More than 5
reference list errors
and in-text citation
errors.