Curated OER
Leading Scientist of the Scientific Revolution
Quiz your class on how well they know the leading scientist of the scientific revolution. They answer seven multiple choice questions that require them to know each major contribution of each of the following scientists: Galileo, Newton,...
Curated OER
The Scientific Revolution: 1500-1700
Discover the key players involved in reshaping scientific thought during the scientific revolution. Basic information regarding major contributions of Brahe, Copernicus, Galileo, Bacon, Kepler, Descartes, and Newton are covered in this...
Curated OER
Transforming Snoopy Using Coordinates
Students graph coordinate points to create a picture of Snoopy. In this coordinate point lesson, students read a book and learn about Rene Descartes' invention, the coordinate grid. Students graph a surprise picture on Geometer's...
Shodor Education Foundation
Shodor Interactivate: Lesson: Cartesian Coordinate System
This lesson plan contains a learning exercise for students to familiarize themselves with the Cartesian Coordinate System and its many uses in the world of mathematics. Contains links to explanations of terms and concepts associated with...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Classics in Western Philosophy
Utilize these excellent resources when introducing the concepts of Western Philosophy and/or analyzing changing philosophies over time.
Marxists Internet Archive
Marxists.org: "Existence and Being" by Martin Heidegger
One of Heidegger's works that is "easier" to read. Does require some background information, but a good way to introduce one's self to Heidegger and his peculiar writing style.
Stanford University
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Descartes' Epistemology
This site is a discussion of Descartes influential epistemological problems. Addresses Descartes' characterization of knowledge, his methods, his major arguments and mistakes, and his most enduring contributions to modern philosophy....
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Francois Viete
The University of St. Andrews offers this iography of Francois Viete. Many links are provided for more information.
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Aristotle on Motion and Its Place in Nature
Lengthy discussion of Aristotle's theory of motion, its presentation by Aquinas, and its relation to Zeno's paradoxes.
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Rene Descartes (1596 1650)
This site presents a biography on philosopher Rene Descartes and provides an overview of Descartes' philosophical thought following the order of his most famous and widely-studied book, "The Meditations on First Philosophy."
Wolfram Research
Wolfram Science World: Descartes, Rene (1596 1650)
This biographical site on Descartes explains some of the French scientific philosopher Decartes' beliefs and findings. This site has links to other famous mathematicians who influenced him as well.
Tom Richey
Tom Richey: Cogito Ergo Sum: Introduction to Descartes
"I think, therefore I am." Wise words delivered from the French philosopher. Review the slideshow to get to know the contributions of this introduction of Rene Descartes.
Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College: Rene Descartes (1596 1650)
Events of Rene Descartes' life are presented in a timeline form. The biographical information is taken from "A Short Account of the History of Mathematics" by W. W. Rouse Ball (4th Edition, 1908).
Oregon State University
Oregon State University: John Locke
This Oregon State University site details the life of the great philosopher John Locke. The site provides a brief bio of Locke, information on his writings such as the Two Treatises of Civil Government, as well as a timeline of his life...
Oregon State University
Oregon State University: Rene Descartes
General biography centered on biographical information, including Descartes' works, writings, career, and influences. Content also includes a time-line of his life.
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Rene Descartes
This site from the University of St Andrews gives a factual biography of Rene Descartes. Many interesting links are provided.
Other
U of North Dakota: Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
A historical overview of the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra. Links to historic mathematicians and the development of this theorem.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The Math Forum: The History of the Coordinate Plane
Everything you'd like to know about the coordinate plane can be found here! Who invented and named it, what vocabulary words have been associated with it, and what notations are connected with it. All this and more about the history of...
Purple Math
Purplemath: Introduction to the X, Y Plane (The "Cartesian" Plane)
Purplemath offers an in-depth lesson on the Cartesian plane. The lesson discusses how to plot points and gives information about the four quadrants. Example problems are given on plotting points and determining the quadrant in which to...
Purple Math
Purplemath: Descartes' Rule of Signs
Purplemath provides examples that helps explain Descartes' rule of signs, which will help you find the zeros of a polynomial.
University of Maryland
Optics Highlights: Optics, Electromagnetic Waves, Quanta
Part of an anecdotal history on optics and the study of light. Extremely thorough treatment of the scientific evidence which led scientists to believe in the particle nature of light. Includes a short biographical sketch and discusses...
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Quotations by Descartes
This site, which is provided for by the University of St Andrews, contains 14 quotes by Rene Descartes. The information, while limited, is factual and worth checking out on the subject.
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Cartesian Oval
This University of St. Andrews page offers an illustration and equation for the Cartesian Ovals, sometimes called the "Ovals of Descartes" for their discoverer, Rene Descartes.
Wolfram Research
Wolfram Math World: Folium of Descartes
This site gives the parametric, cartesian, and polar equations for this plane curve. Also given is the point of discontinuity, equation for the asymptote, and area under the curve.