Applied Maths Modelling Project Practice Briefs

II have created three fully scaffolded practice briefs designed to give 5th Year Applied Maths students a realistic experience of the Mathematical Modelling Project before they meet the official Leaving Certificate brief.

Each brief follows the modelling process used in the Applied Maths project, but includes additional guidance, prompts and suggested approaches so students can concentrate on developing their modelling skills rather than feeling lost at the planning stage.

The three topics are:

• Hammer Throw – Modelling the motion of a hammer throw, beginning with basic projectile motion and gradually introducing more realistic conditions.
• Stopping Distances – Investigating how stopping distance varies with speed, road conditions and driver reaction time.
• NASCAR – Investigating whether a car can take the banking at Daytona at top speed, developing the model from flat circular motion to banked motion with friction and extending it to consider downforce.

These briefs give students the opportunity to:

• Work through the full modelling cycle, from initial assumptions and research through to multiple iterations and reflection
• Apply mathematical techniques to real-world situations
• Explore how assumptions, data and refinements affect a mathematical model
• Build confidence in writing and communicating a clear, well-structured modelling project

They are designed specifically as 5th Year teaching and practice resources. The modelling steps are deliberately scaffolded and the mathematics is kept accessible so that students can focus on understanding the modelling process before tackling the official Leaving Certificate project.

Sample completed projects are also available on request to accompany the briefs. These demonstrate how a strong piece of 5th Year practice work might be structured and communicated and should not be regarded as 6th Year Higher Level exemplars.

📩 Request your copy using the form below.

Please note that these projects are not equivalent to the official SEC brief. The modelling steps have been explicitly provided, and the mathematics has been deliberately kept accessible so that 5th Year students can engage meaningfully with the process. The sample projects represent a H1 standard for 5th Year practice work, but they are not intended as 6th Year Higher Level exemplars.