Latex Tubing and Hybrid Vehicles

The learning of linear functions is pervasive in most algebra classrooms. Linear functions are vital in laying the foundation for understanding the concept of modeling. This unit gives students the opportunity to make use of linear models in order to make predictions based on real-world data, and see how engineers address incredible and important design challenges through the use of linear modeling. Student groups act as engineering teams by conducting experiments to collect data and model the relationship between the wall thickness of the latex tubes and their corresponding strength under pressure (to the point of explosion). Students learn to graph variables with linear relationships and use collected data from their designed experiment to make important decisions regarding the feasibility of hydraulic systems in hybrid vehicles and the necessary tube size to make it viable.

Material Type: Unit of Study

Authors: Carleigh Samson, Erik Bowen

2013 Phases of the Moon Animation

This animation highlighting the phases of the Moon was released by the Scientific Visualization Studio at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Material Type: Primary Source

DASHlink

DASHlink is a virtual laboratory for scientists and engineers to disseminate results and collaborate on research problems in health management technologies for aeronautics systems. Managed by the Integrated Vehicle Health Management project within NASA's Aviation Safety program, the Web site is designed to be a resource for anyone interested in data mining, IVHM, aeronautics and NASA.

Material Type: Lecture, Primary Source, Reading, Simulation

The Earth & Moon

Photo of the Earth & Moon created from images from the the Galileo spacecraft.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Primary Source

Google Moon - Apollo Series

Google teamed up with scientists at the NASA Ames Research Center to create this collection of lunar maps and charts. This tool is an exciting new way to explore the story of the Apollo missions, still the only time mankind has set foot on another world.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Primary Source, Reading

Lunar Maps

This diverse collection of lunar maps was automatically generated from USGS Map-a-Planet data together with IAU lunar feature data. Giant zoomable maps of Earth's Moon are featured.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Primary Source

The Moon in Google Earth

This video introduces users to Google Earth's exploration of the moon. There are instructions for how to use it and what you can find in it.

Material Type: Lecture, Primary Source

Wisconsin Public Land Survey Records: Original Field Notes and Plat Maps

The field notes and plat maps of the public land survey of Wisconsin, conducted between 1832 and 1866 by the federal General Land Office. This work established the township, range and section grid; the pattern upon which land ownership and land use is based.

Material Type: Primary Source

Quantitative Environmental Learning Project Data Set #50

This dataset, created by Joe Hull and Greg Langkamp of Seattle Central Community College, contains information on temperature, precipitation, and weather stations for forty-eight states. The data is available in both Excel and rich text formats. Even though simply a dataset, this could still be a useful resource for a statistics class or for someone interested in either climatology or meteorology.

Material Type: Data Set

Authors: Hull, Joe, Langkamp, Greg

Artificial Heart Design Challenge

Students are presented with a hypothetical scenario in which they are biomedical engineers asked to design artificial hearts. Using the engineering design process as a guide, the challenge is established and students brainstorm to list everything they might need to know about the heart in order to create a complete mechanical replacement (size, how it functions, path of blood etc.). They conduct research to learn the information and organize it through various activities. They research artificial heart models that have already been used and rate their performance in clinical trials. Finally, they analyze the data to identify the artificial heart features and properties they think work best and document their findings in essay form.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Angela D. Kolonich

Reproduction: One Goal, Two Strategies

In this media-rich activity designed to enhance literacy skills, students learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the two basic forms of reproduction for the living things that practice them. As students work through this activity, they watch videos and work out their ideas in a Flash Interactive where they write their answers in text boxes. At the end of the activity, they can print out their notes to help them complete the final writing assignment. A teacher's guide and correlations to science and English/Language Arts standards are also provided.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan

CIESE Real Time Data Projects: Tsunami Surge

This internet-based project for Grades 6-12 taps into real-time data as the framework for a student investigation of tsunami phenomena. First, students look at historical information on five tsunamis, then interactively explore the science behind tsunamis and wave behavior. Next, students will access and interpret existing data from the highly destructive 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Finally, students take on roles as scientists to develop a global tsunami preparedness plan based on a budget. They must support their ideas with evidence from reliable data and present arguments based upon their studies. Included are detailed project instructions, teacher's guide, reference material, and a student discussion forum. This project is part of the CIESE K-12 Curriculum Program's Real Time Data Projects. See Related Materials for a link to the full index of data projects.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Data Set, Lecture Notes, Lesson Plan, Student Guide

Primary Source Exemplar: Nutrition and Human Rights

In this unit, students examine the question: How does access to a specific diet (nutrition) impact human rights? As students explore biological information on how the human body uses food as a source of energy, they will explore the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) document, to examine the crucial question of how access to a proper diet is related to a person’s rights.

Material Type: Lesson Plan, Teaching/Learning Strategy, Unit of Study

Author: Joanna Schimizzi

Problem Based Learning: Get Out! Designing a Highway Exit

This is a PBL (Problem-Based Learning) activity for introductory physics relating to circular motion and friction. In this scenario, students design a flat circular highway exit and determine, within a set of given constraints, what the exit speed limit should be. Students will apply concepts of rotational kinematics, static and kinetic friction, and will explore the dynamics involved in an object moving in a circular path. This resource includes a printable student manual and a password-protected teacher's guide with solutions and tips for instructors. PBL is an instructional method designed to strengthen student competency in reasoning and problem-solving. The activities mirror real scenarios encountered by practicing scientists and engineers. Learners sift through information to separate useful from irrelevant data, locate missing information on their own, and then apply physics in finding solutions.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture Notes, Lesson Plan, Student Guide

Author: Nathaniel Lasry

The Challenge Question

Students are introduced to the "Walk the Line" challenge question. They write journal responses to the question and brainstorm what information they need to answer the question. Ideas are shared with the class (or in pairs and then to the class, if class size is large). Then students read an interview with an engineer to gain a professional perspective on linear data sets and best-fit lines. Students brainstorm for additional ideas and add them to the list. With the teacher's guidance, students organize the ideas into logical categories of needed knowledge.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Aubrey Mckelvey

STEM Through Wind Turbines

This unit integrates scientific inquiry, the engineering design process, with math practices and technology. Students learn about energy, alternative energy, designing experiments and use math and technology as tools to accomplish their tasks.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Assessment

Author: JC HIDOE

Analyzing Meteorological Data From Mars

Students compare real-time Earth and Mars measurements for temperature, wind speed, humidity and atmospheric pressure by accessing Internet-data resources from NASA.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Assessment, Lesson Plan

Using Dimensions: Designing a Sports Bag

This lesson unit is intended to help you assess how well students are able to: recognize and use common 2D representations of 3D objects and identify and use the appropriate formula for finding the circumference of a circle.

Material Type: Assessment, Lesson Plan

Author: http://map.mathshell.org/

Drawing to Scale: Designing a Garden

This lesson unit is intended to help assess how well students are able to interpret and use scale drawings to plan a garden layout. This involves using proportional reasoning and metric units.

Material Type: Assessment, Lesson Plan

Evaluating Statements About Probability

This lesson unit addresses common misconceptions relating to probability of simple and compound events. The lesson will help you assess how well students understand concepts of: Equally likely events; randomness; and sample sizes.

Material Type: Assessment, Lesson Plan