NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

What's an "Extra"? Every month NASA compiles a list of educational resources related to a NASA theme. Visit each month to find new educational materials, classroom activities, games, pictures, NASA TV broadcasts and Web sites.

The theme for August 2006 is "Mathematics." Because mathematics is a way of looking at the world, mathematicians are needed throughout NASA. Explore this month's theme with the resources listed below, and learn how mathematics is helping NASA make the Vision for Space Exploration a reality.

NASA TV Education Schedule
During the week of August 14-21, 2006, programs about mathematics will be featured on NASA TV. Check the schedule for titles and descriptions of the broadcasts.
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Image to right: Mathematics is the foundation for all areas of science and engineering. Credit: NASA

NASA Educational Products

	Exploring the Extreme Educator Guide This NASA educator guide presents the basic science of aeronautics by emphasizing hands-on involvement, prediction, data collections and interpretation, teamwork, and problem solving. + View
	3... 2... 1... Liftoff! Educator Guide These activities are about the International Space Station and the role rockets play in its construction. + View
	Rockets Educator Guide Learn history, scientific principles and mathematics of rockets through these activities. + View
	Microgravity Educator Guide This educator guide contains excellent background information accompanied by classroom activities that enable students to experiment with the forces and processes microgravity scientists are investigating today. + View
	Taking the Measure of the Universe Poster This poster and series of activities make measurement and computation in mathematics visible to students. + View

NASA Educational Multimedia Materials

The Central Operation of Resources for Educators, or CORE, is the worldwide distribution center for NASA-produced multimedia materials. Education Modules for themes are bundled by topic and may include CD-ROMs, videotapes, educator guides, posters, lithographs, books, lesson plans, bookmarks, fact sheets, slide sets and activity kits.

Image to right: NASA develops multimedia resources for educators.

Module Spotlight:

Mathematics Subject Area Classroom Module
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Search words for CORE materials: mathematics

CORE
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Follow the Theme -- Activities, Adventures and Web Sites of Interest

	Virtual Skies High school students can investigate the principles of flight, learn about flight planning and wind tunnels, plot cross-country excursions, and consider career opportunities. + View site			NASA CONNECT™ This series consists of free, integrated mathematics, science and technology distance learning programs for grades 5-8. The Web site has resources to complement the programs. + View site
	NASA's Kids' Club The Kids' Club games are divided into five levels, with each level associated with a grade from kindergarten through fourth grade. + View site			FoilSim Check out this interactive simulation software that determines the airflow around various shapes of airfoils. + View site
	Smart Skies FlyBy Math™ Access distance-rate-time math problems in air traffic control for grades 5-9. To solve math problems, students conduct an experiment supported by a variety of math methods, ranging from counting to graphing. An educator guide and student materials are available. + View site			Deep Impact Math Challenges Join the Deep Impact mission team and solve these Mathematical Mission Challenges. + View site

MATHCOUNTS®
Middle school students participate in this national math coaching and competition program.
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The Wright Brothers and Basic Trigonometry
To better understand what the Wright brothers accomplished and how they did it, some mathematical ideas from trigonometry must be used.
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Dot-to-Dot Spacecraft
What are all these dots? Connect them to find out!
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Imagine the Universe! Lesson Plans
Teacher resources at this site include lesson plans, posters and informational activity books.
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Units of Measure
Do you know the difference between giga, mega and kilo? The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Basics of Spaceflight gives definitions and abbreviations for units of measure.
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KSNN™ Newsbreaks: How Do You Measure Time?
NASA's KSNN™ uses animated characters to help children understand the everyday phenomena of the world and answer frequently asked questions.
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Videos showcased in the August 2006 Education File Schedule to support "Mathematics" are:

NASA CONNECT™: Breaking Barriers: Solving Linear Equations (6-8) NASA CONNECT™: Data Analysis and Measurement: Dancing in the Night Sky (6-8) NASA CONNECT™: Data Analysis and Measurement: Having a Solar Blast! (6-8) NASA CONNECT™: Functions and Statistics: Dressed for Space (6-8) NASA CONNECT™: Geometry and Algebra: Glow With the Flow (5-8) NASA CONNECT™: Path of Totality: Measuring Angular Size and Distance (6-8) NASA CONNECT™: Rocket to the Stars (6-8) NASA CONNECT™: The Centennial of Flight Special Edition: Problem Solving: The "Wright" Math (6-8) NASA SCIence Files™: The Case of the Electrical Mystery (3-5) Project Mathematics! Polynomials (9-12) Project Mathematics! Similarity (9-12) Project Mathematics! Sines and Cosines Part I (9-12) Project Mathematics! Sines and Cosines Part II (9-12) Project Mathematics! Sines and Cosines Part III (9-12) Project Mathematics! The Story of Pi (9-12) Project Mathematics! The Theorem of Pythagoras (9-12) Project Mathematics! The Tunnel of Samos (9-12) + Order videos

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