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Engage and Educate Mathematics Students

Mathematics is an essential component of contemporary science and engineering. Exploring Space Through Algebra will help students (grades 7-12) develop a deeper understanding of key mathematical concepts, and they will learn how to apply those concepts in the context of space exploration. This project can be a valuable supplemental component to the Mathematics curriculum as it exposes students to the limitless options in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

The focus of Exploring Space Through Algebra project is to promote inquiry through real world applications. Doing so will place students in the role of NASA scientists, engineers, and researchers. This project will promote cooperative learning by exposing students to more problem-solving ideas and will demonstrate how NASA scientists, engineers, and researchers work in teams to accomplish tasks.

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Feedback and suggestions for future problems will come from mathematics educators – just like you! Please take a minute to complete the feedback form included on the last page of the Educator Edition of each problem. Your input will help improve these products and will help us to create new, useful materials.




Note: Often a problem is suitable for use in multiple math courses. Suggestions are shown next to the title.

Next Generation Spacecraft - Orion (Algebra 1, Geometry) In this real world application, students will work with the decomposition of a figure into small shapes to estimate the area of the Orion Crew Module. + Download Educator Edition PDF (638 KB) + Download Student Edition PDF (552 KB)

Space Shuttle Ascent (Algebra 1, Algebra 2) Students will be asked to create scatterplots that show the relationships of mission data relating to a space shuttle flight during the ascent phase. + Download Educator Edition PDF (272 KB) + Download Student Edition PDF (156 KB)

Communications and the Lunar Outpost (Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus) Students will apply mathematics formulas to calculate various geometric measures to the relationships between the height of a lunar communication tower and the tower’s communications range. + Download Educator Edition PDF (951 KB) + Download Student Edition PDF (667 KB)

Weightless Wonder - Reduced Gravity Flights (Algebra 1, Algebra 2) Students will analyze data by evaluating quadratic functions to derive a solution to a real-world problem involving the parabolic flights of NASA's Weightless Wonder jet. + Download Educator Edition PDF (400 KB) + Download Student Edition PDF (236 KB)

Extension Activity: Weightless Wonder (Algebra 1, Algebra 2) Students will evaluate quadratic functions using the graphing calculator as they further explore characteristics of parabolic flight. + Download Educator Edition PDF (127 KB) + Download Student Edition PDF (180 KB)

The Lunar Lander - Ascending from the Moon (Geometry, Algebra2, Precalculus) Students will apply trigonometric functions when caluculating data about the liftoff of the ascent portion of the Lunar Lander from the Moon's surface. + Download Educator Edition PDF (518 KB) + Download Student Edition PDF (421 KB)

Lunar Rover (Algebra 1, Geometry) Students will apply the distance formula and the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the minimal path and minimal time for the Lunar Rover to perform tasks on the surface of the Moon. - Problem Coming Soon