Smart Skies: LineUp with Math

Welcome to Smart Skies!

Smart Skies was developed by NASA to engage students in STEM using pre-algebraic skills such as calculating distance, rate of speed, and time to make decisions and resolve conflicts in realistic air traffic control situations. Smart Skies supports the Program’s goal to develop advanced computer-based systems to help pilots and air traffic controllers operate the nation’s air transportation system with reduced flight delays and improved efficiency and access.

In its LineUp with Math program, the challenges aviation professionals face to manage air traffic are simulated in a variety of problem sets which increase in complexity, allowing for flexibility based on individual skills. The air traffic simulator that’s included is available to use online or as a download. The program is well-suited to educational settings such as classrooms, as well as informal settings such as camps and even home aviation enthusiasts. 

LineUp With Math consists of six Problem Sets. Each enables students to explore and apply decision-making and proportional reasoning skills to resolve distance-rate-time conflicts in realistic air traffic control problems. To solve the problems, students use a web-based interactive Air Traffic Control (ATC) Simulator that represents an air traffic controller’s screen. The accompanying workbooks provide the underlying mathematics and strategies to enable students to optimize their solutions. The simulator is also available from the Apple App Store and runs on an iPhone or iPad.

LineUp with Math has two overarching goals:

• To enable students to use mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills to investigate and solve realistic distance-rate-time problems in air traffic control.
• To offer students a variety of problem solving approaches, tools, skills, and experiences in the context of challenging, yet accessible, real-world problems.

Real-life Applications

In LineUp With Math, students apply proportional reasoning to make decisions and resolve conflicts in realistic air traffic control problems involving two or more planes. The challenge in each problem is to “line up” the planes safely, with proper spacing, at a given intersection of jet routes.

Getting Started

You should begin by downloading and reading through the Educator Guide. It provides an in-depth explanation of LineUp With Math and should answer any questions you have.

Download the Educator Guide (PDF)

Simulator

Simulator Website (online)

Simulator (download .zip)

Problem Sets

For each Problem Set, a print-based Student Workbook provides a structured learning environment. Each Workbook contains paper-and-pencil worksheets that introduce students to pertinent air traffic control concepts as well as problem analysis and solution methods.

• Problem Set A: Workbook A introduces students to the environment of real air traffic control.
• Problem Set B and Problem Set C: Students use Workbooks B and C to analyze conflicts between two or three planes and to resolve the conflicts by rerouting.
• Problem Set D: Workbook addresses the basic effects of differences in speed.
• Problem Set E and Problem Set F: Students use Workbooks E and F to analyze conflicts between two or three planes and to resolve the conflicts by changing plane speed.

Workbooks B, C, E, and F include worksheets that support selected Simulator problems. For these worksheets, the title matches the number of the associated Simulator problem. Four- and five-plane problems are found on the Simulator only and are not supported by the Student Workbooks. These higher-level Simulator problems enable students to explore more challenging scenarios.

Student Workbooks

Problem Set A
Problem Set B
Problem Set C
Problem Set D
Problem Set E
Problem Set F

​Each of the six Problem Sets is accompanied by a Teacher or Facilitator Guide that includes:

• an overview​
• a list of objectives, prerequisites, and materials
• a discussion and specification of the relevant ATC Simulator Problems (or other interactive/multimedia components)
• a discussion of key points for each Simulator problem and for each Workbook worksheet
• the soutions for each Simulator problem
• the answers for each Workbook worksheet

Teacher or Facilitator Guides

Problem Set A
Problem Set B
Problem Set C
Problem Set D
Problem Set E
Problem Set F

Preparing to Teach LineUp With Math:

1. View the movie “Animation of 24 hours of flight in the U.S.” which is available in the “Videos” section to see the world’s largest distance-rate-time problem.
2. View the movie “What is LineUp With Math?”.
3. View the movie “Welcome to Sector 33” to see an overview of the vocabulary, units, and graphical reprsentations of air traffic control problems. This material is the backbone of both the simulator and the print-based-workbooks.
4. Using the link in the toolbar, access and try the on-line Simulator. Online instructions are provided to assure that your computer is configured to support the Simulator. Once you have the simulator running, click on the help button, represented by a “?” and look through the introduction to the simulator.
5. Select the Problem Set you will use to introduce your students to LineUp With Math. We strongly recommend starting with Problem Set A.
6. Select and download the materials for the Problem Set you have selected.
7. Duplicate the Student Workbook to provide each student with one copy. You can also provide them a digital copy of the PDF.

VIDEOS:

Animation of 24 hours of flight in the US

Welcome to Sector 33

I’m a Controller

If you have any questions about Smart Skies, please contact us at: aerostem@nasa.onmicrosoft.com.

* For those who used our “Flyby Math” program in the past, it is no longer active. However, “LineUp with Math” is better than ever and we are committed to continued updates for Smart Skies.