Further Mathematics - Senior Secondary 1 - Definition and history of Operations Research

TERM: 3^RD TERM

WEEK 5
Class: Senior Secondary School 1
Age: 15 years
Duration: 40 minutes of 4 periods
Subject: Further Maths
Topic: Definition and History of Operations Research
Focus: Understanding the concept of Operations Research (O.R.) and exploring its history and development.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

Define Operations Research and explain its significance.
Understand the history and development of Operations Research.
Identify key milestones in the evolution of Operations Research.

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES:
• Guided discovery
• Discussion
• Question and answer
• Presentation
• Group work

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
• Whiteboard and markers
• Charts illustrating the history and development of O.R.
• Projector or slides for presenting historical timelines
• Worksheets on key O.R. milestones

PERIOD 1 & 2: Introduction to Operations Research
PRESENTATION:

Step	Teacher’s Activity	Student’s Activity
Step 1 - Introduction	Introduces the concept of Operations Research. Defines O.R. as the application of scientific methods and techniques to solve operational problems and improve decision-making in organizations.	Students listen attentively and take notes.
Step 2 - Definition of Operations Research	Guides students to formulate their understanding of Operations Research. Uses examples from business, manufacturing, and logistics.	Students provide input and ask questions on how O.R. is applied in real-life situations.
Step 3 - History of Operations Research	Introduces the historical background of O.R., highlighting its origins during World War II for military strategy and its post-war applications in business and industry.	Students listen to the historical development and take notes.
Step 4 - Milestones in O.R.	Presents key events and figures in the history of O.R. (e.g., the formation of the Operational Research Society, major advancements in optimization).	Students actively engage in discussion and contribute to the timeline of O.R. history.

NOTE ON BOARD:
Operations Research (O.R.):
• Definition: The application of analytical methods to make better decisions.
• History: Originated during World War II, with widespread use in military logistics, then expanded to business, industry, and various other fields.
• Key Milestones: Formation of O.R. societies, advancements in linear programming, and use in supply chain management.

EVALUATION (5 exercises):

Define Operations Research in your own words.
How did Operations Research begin and in what context?
Name two areas where Operations Research is applied.
Explain the significance of Operations Research in business decision-making.
What major event contributed to the development of O.R. during World War II?

CLASSWORK (5 questions):

What is the definition of Operations Research?
List two examples of industries where O.R. is used.
Who were the key figures involved in the development of O.R.?
Describe one historical event that marked the development of O.R.
Why is O.R. important in modern organizations?

ASSIGNMENT (5 tasks):

Research and summarize the role of Operations Research in one industry.
Identify one key figure in the history of O.R. and describe their contribution.
What is the significance of mathematical models in Operations Research?
Find one real-world application of O.R. in logistics or supply chain management.
Write a short essay on how O.R. can be used to solve a common problem in your school or community.

PERIOD 3 & 4: Nature and Further Development of Operations Research
PRESENTATION:

Step	Teacher’s Activity	Student’s Activity
Step 1 - Recap	Recaps the concept and history of O.R., reviewing the key milestones and figures.	Students review their notes and ask clarifying questions.
Step 2 - Nature of Operations Research	Explains the nature of O.R., including its scientific, quantitative, and interdisciplinary characteristics. Discusses how it combines methods from various fields such as mathematics, economics, and engineering.	Students take notes and engage in discussion about the interdisciplinary nature of O.R.
Step 3 - Applications of O.R.	Discusses the practical applications of O.R. in real-world situations, focusing on areas like resource allocation, scheduling, and optimization.	Students participate in a case study activity, brainstorming O.R. applications in different sectors.
Step 4 - Group Work	Assigns students to small groups to research an application of O.R. in a specific industry and present their findings.	Students work in groups to research and prepare a brief presentation on their chosen topic.

NOTE ON BOARD:
Nature of Operations Research:
• Scientific approach to problem-solving.
• Uses mathematical models, statistics, and algorithms.
• Interdisciplinary, involving math, engineering, and management.
• Applications: Logistics, scheduling, resource allocation, inventory control, and optimization.

EVALUATION (5 exercises):

What is the nature of Operations Research?
Name one application of O.R. in business.
How does O.R. help in resource allocation?
What disciplines contribute to the development of O.R.?
Describe the role of mathematical models in O.R.

CLASSWORK (5 questions):

List three characteristics of Operations Research.
Explain how O.R. can be used in inventory management.
What role does statistics play in Operations Research?
How does Operations Research help in decision-making?
Provide an example of O.R. in healthcare.

ASSIGNMENT (5 tasks):

Research an application of Operations Research in the transportation industry.
Explain how O.R. can help in disaster management.
Discuss the role of computers in Operations Research.
Identify a company that uses O.R. and describe how it benefits from it.
Write a report on the importance of O.R. in manufacturing industries.