Linear Graph Art with Desmos: A Student-Led Exploration of Equation-Driven Creativity

As a College Linear Art project, I'm thrilled to share that one of my recent creations, inspired by The Hunger Games' Mockingjay, has garnered significant attention from students and staff alike. What's more remarkable is the fact that it was created using 40 equations, taking over three hours to complete. This experience has not only showcased the potential of linear graph art but also demonstrated the ease with which students can engage with mathematical concepts through creative expression.

The Linear Art project came earlier than expected this year, primarily due to my desire to introduce my students to Desmos as soon as possible. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many students praising the app as 'the best they'd ever used.' As a result, I decided to dedicate two class periods for them to work on their art pieces, allowing them to complete them at home and share their creations in our shared Google folder.

The experience was truly remarkable, with students exclaiming things like 'Desmos is the best app I've ever used' and 'oh, now I see how that works.' They became so enthusiastic about creating parabolas, circles, sine waves, and other shapes that they began asking me to show them how to restrict the domain and range of these equations. I was more than happy to oblige, as this aligned perfectly with my objective: to help students gain a deeper understanding of linear equations, particularly in terms of restricting the domain and/or range.

Before diving into the art project, I took some time to introduce the class to Desmos' capabilities and 'what-if' features. Once they had a solid grasp of these concepts, I let them loose to create their own equation-driven masterpieces. The result was stunning – each student's artwork showcased their unique understanding of linear equations and creative expression.

One of the most significant takeaways from this experience is that Desmos can be an incredibly powerful tool for engaging students with mathematical concepts. By allowing them to explore and manipulate equations in a visual, interactive environment, we can help them develop a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of mathematics.

In conclusion, my Linear Art project has been a resounding success, thanks in large part to Desmos' ability to facilitate student-led exploration and creativity. I'm excited to see how this experience will shape their understanding of linear equations and inspire future artistic endeavors.

Linear graph art desmos