Highlights:
When Isaac Newton developed calculus in the 1600s, he was trying to tie together math and physics in an intuitive, geometrical way. But over time math and physics teaching became heavily weighted toward algebra, and less toward geometrical problem solving. However, many practicing mathematicians and physicists will get their intuition geometrically first and do the algebra later.
Curriculum or Lesson Topics:
Make: Calculus imagines how Newton might have used 3D printed models, construction toys, programming, craft materials, and an Arduino or two to teach calculus concepts in an intuitive way. The book uses as little reliance on algebra as possible while still retaining enough to allow comparison with a traditional curriculum.
This book is not a traditional Calculus I textbook. Rather, it will take the reader on a tour of key concepts in calculus that lend themselves to hands-on projects. This book also defines terms and common symbols for self-learners.
A note about the EPub file for screenreader users: The Make: Calculus epub3 digital download that comes as part of this package (along with a PDF version) is intended for use with screen readers that can read math, such as the Thorium epub reader.
After you have the book open in the latest version of Thorium, check the Thorium documentation to learn how to turn on MathJax functionality, which in turn reads the MathML in the epub. These settings are only available after you have opened at least one book in Thorium. Additionally, you may need to right-click on an equation, check the menu that appears, and experiment with the MathML settings in that menu to make them compatible with your screenreader.
Special Notes and Considerations:
If you are using a separate screen reader program to interface with Thorium, you might need to add a plugin for it to be able to read MathML correctly.
About the Authors
Joan Horvath and Rich “Whosawhatsis” Cameron are the founders of Nonscriptum LLC, a consulting and training firm founded in 2015 in based in Pasadena, California. Joan and Rich focus on teaching educators and scientists how to use maker tech, together they have authored ten books for Make: and other publishers, as well as numerous courses for LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com). Joan is an MIT alumna, recovering rocket scientist and educator, and Rich is an open-source 3D printer hacker who designed the RepRap Wallace and Bukito 3D printers.
