Math's Ten Most Wanted

A WebQuest for Middle School Math

About the Program

What is the purpose of the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Mathematicians" Program?
- It is designed to publicize particularly dangerous mathematicians who might not otherwise merit nationwide attention. The FBI values and recognizes the need for public assistance in tracking mathematicians.
How many mathematicians have been captured due to public assistance?
- One hundred and thirty-eight of the "Ten Most Wanted Mathematicians" apprehensions have resulted from citizens recognition of mathematicians through this publicity program.
The FBI needs your help in compiling the next "Ten Most Wanted Mathematicians" list. Help them capture dangerous mathematicians. Help make this country a safer place to live!

The Task

The Criminal Investigative Division (CID) at FBI Headquarters calls upon all 56 Field Offices to submit candidates for the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Mathematicians" list. The nominees received are reviewed by Special Agents in the CID and the Office of Public and Congressional Affairs. The selection of the "proposed" candidate(s) is forwarded to the Assistant Director of the CID for his/her approval and then to the FBI's Deputy Director for final approval.

In a group, you will research and submit 12 names (4 names each person) and descriptions of famous mathematicians to the Criminal Investigative Division for possible listing on the "Ten Most Wanted" list.

The Special Agents in the CID and the Office of Public and Congressional Affairs need your help reviewing the nominees. In your group, decide who will make the "Ten Most Wanted" list. Make sure your group justifies your choices.

Create wanted posters for the "Ten Most Wanted Mathematicians" for the FBI's Deputy Director to send out.

The Process

Before you can compile a list of nominees, your group needs to research which mathematicians were the most influential throughout history. Each person in the group should research 4 different mathematicians and write a description of each mathematician's background and accomplishments. Use the following sites to help you out.
In your group, decide what criteria is needed in order for a mathematician to make the "Ten Most Wanted" list. (Your group must have at least 3 criteria.) Make sure your criteria is applicable, legitimate, and has either examples or definitions. Of your group's 12 possibilities, decide who will make the list. Each group must turn in a typed criteria list and a "Ten Most Wanted" list with an explanation as to how each mathematician fits each criteria. Your group must have ample justification for each mathematician in order to receive approval from the FBI's Deputy Director.
Once the Deputy Director has approved your group's list, it is time to make "wanted" posters for each mathematician. Make sure you include pertinent background information, each mathematician's accomplishments, and that each poster is neat and creative. For examples of actual "wanted" posters, look on the FBI's Most Wanted site.

Evaluation

Each group will be graded on the following criteria. There is a total of 16 points possible.

aaa	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Create a criteria list for rating the mathematicians.	There are less than 3 criteria. Each criteria may not be legitimate or applicable and shows no examples or definitions.	There are at least 3 criteria. Each criteria is legitimate, applicable, and but shows no examples or definitions.	There are at least 3 criteria. Each criteria is legitimate, applicable, and shows some examples or definitions.	There are at least 3 criteria. Each criteria is legitimate, applicable, and shows examples or definitions.	4
Rate each mathematician and provide justification for each decision.	There are 10 mathematicians listed with no justification as to how each person meets the criteria.	There are 10 mathematicians listed with little justification as to how each person meets the criteria.	There are 10 mathematicians listed with adequate justification as to how each person meets the criteria.	There are 10 mathematicians listed with ample justification as to how each person meets the criteria.	4
Create "wanted" posters for the "Ten Most Wanted Mathematicians"	Each poster has very little pertinent information on each mathematician's background and accomplishments. The poster lacks creativity or neatness.	Each poster has some pertinent information on each mathematician's background and accomplishments. The poster lacks creativity or neatness.	Each poster has pertinent information on each mathematician's background and accomplishments. The poster lacks creativity and is somewhat neat.	Each poster has pertinent information on each mathematician's background and accomplishments. The poster is creative and neat.	4

Conclusion

For fifty years the FBI has sought the public's assistance in a very special way. The success of the "Ten Most Wanted Mathematicians" list illustrates the hard work, dedication, and integrity of the people of the FBI, but also demonstrates that public cooperation is vital to the efforts of the FBI to meet it's mission. It is because of this that the FBI thanks your group's effort in supplying the next "Ten Most Wanted Mathematicians" list. Your group now has a better understanding of the people behind the mathematics that is used today.

Credits & References

Images and Information on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" program taken from:
The FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives: http://www.fbi.gov/most want/top ten/tenlist.htm

Biography Resources:

http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/BiogIndex.html
http://math.furman.edu/~mwoodard/mqs/mquot.shtml

http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/women.htm

http://www.awm-math.org/noetherbrochure/TOC.html

http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Indexes/1600_1649.html

Based on a template from The Web Quest Page.
Last modified by Lisa Forman and Yen-Ling Shen.
June 2001

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

A WebQuest for Middle School Math

The FBI needs your help in compiling the next "Ten Most Wanted Mathematicians" list. Help them capture dangerous mathematicians. Help make this country a safer place to live!