[Edu-sig] using Python as a calculator

[calcpage at aol.com]

This thread is very interesting.  As a mater of fact, I've been trying 
to get 2 new course approvals at my High School for several years now 
and suddenly I have the go ahead for both!

For more info on all the python related projects I'm involved with as 
summarized below, please see my blog: 
http://calcpage.tripod.com/shadowfax

1) Computer Math:
I have run this pre AP Computer Science class for nearly 30 years.  Its 
an introduction to programming via BASIC incorporating concepts from 
Discrete Mathematics.  I've used every form of BASIC that ever existed 
(console, gui, windows, linux, etc).  It was time for a change.  Next 
year I'm using a new text by Gary & Maria Litvin called "Mathematics 
for the Digital Age.".  This book covers all the same topics my own 
home-grown text does but uses python!  Also, I'll be using SAGE 
(http://www.sagenb.org) to write the programs.

2) Calculus Research Lab:
This is a course in Scientific Computing.  I will take students already 
taking Calculus and meet with them an additional period every other day 
like a Science lab.  We will be using online Calculus texts in pdf 
format on the SAGE website (http://www.sagemath.org) to reinforce 
concepts they learn in AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC class.  
Needless to say, I'll be using SAGE here too, but we will be more 
focused on Computer Algebra Systems.  This course was approved last 
year, but the guidance counselors messed up scheduling several new 
courses so it didn't run this year, but we have enrollment for next 
year!

HTH,
A. Jorge Garcia
http://calcpage.tripod.com

Teacher & Professor
Applied Mathematics, Physics & Computer Science
Baldwin Senior High School & Nassau Community College