NASA
Weightless Wonder
A video of the weightless wonder provides a setting for the math to follow. Groups analyze the graph of a quadratic function that models the path of the C-9 as it gives astronauts the experience of weightlessness. Using a graphing...
NASA
Ascent: 50 Seconds to MECO
All systems go! With a video and a Google Earth tour as background, pairs investigate two graphs. The graphs display acceleration vs. time and velocity vs. time of a space shuttle launch. Using graphing calculators, the pairs take a...
NASA
Space Shuttle Ascent: Mass vs. Time
Set the stage for groups of rocket scientists to explore the change in mass of the space shuttle during ascent. Teams work together to graph actual launch data in order to determine the rate of propellent burn.
Curated OER
Exploring Renewable Energy Through Graphs and Statistics
Ninth graders identify different sources of renewable and nonrenewable energy. In this math lesson plan, learners calculate their own carbon footprint based on the carbon dioxide they create daily. They use statistics to analyze data on...
Texas Instruments
TI-Nspire™ CAS
When it comes to rating educational calculators, this calculator is always near the top of this list. Now it's available as an app. There is a lot of calculator power wrapped up in this app. Not only is this a fully functioning...
Texas Instruments
TI-Nspire™
We landed on the moon with less computing capabilities than you can find in this app! Here is a multiple function calculator that takes all the power you get from a handheld and adds the wonderful large screen that only a tablet can...
Curated OER
Residential Power System
Perform data analysis on energy consumption to apply algebraic expressions to the real world. Learners will write and solve equations that answer various questions from residential power use. They will collect data at home and calculate...
Curated OER
Statistical Analysis for Graphing Calculators
High schoolers use data from the Chesapeake Bay to analyze temperature, phosphate, nitrates, salinity, and oxygen levels.
University of Colorado
Distance = Rate x Time
Every year, the moon moves 3.8 cm farther from Earth. In the 11th part of 22, classes use the distance formula. They determine the distance to the moon based upon given data and then graph Galileo spacecraft data to determine its movement.
Kenan Fellows
Determining the Atomic Mass of Elements in a Compound Using Matrices
Scholars apply concepts learned in both Algebra II and Chemistry to answer the questions on the provided worksheet. The activity allows for extra practice in both classes and helps connect concepts usually taught in isolation. The...
NASA
Next Generation Spacecraft—Orion
What is the cross-sectional area of the Orion spacecraft? Groups work together to estimate the area of a cross section of the Orion spacecraft by first counting the number of grids a scale drawing covers. Pupils also employ a method...
NASA
Lunar Rover
What is the shortest distance/time needed to complete a mission? Groups devise a strategy in order to determine the shortest distance and time connecting two points and a segment. They then use graphing, the distance formula, and a...
Curated OER
Newton's Law of Cooling
Your Algebra learners analyze and solve an exponential equation in this popular, real-life model of the cooling of a liquid.
NASA
Space Shuttle Ascent: Altitude vs. Time
How long did it take to get to that altitude? Using a Google Earth file, groups explore a space shuttle launch. Using a calculator, groups determine the function that models the altitude/time data from an actual launch. With the model in...
Kenan Fellows
Density
Most scholars associate density with floating, but how do scientists determine the exact density of an unknown liquid? The third lesson in a seven-part series challenges scholars to find the mass and volume of two unknown liquids. Each...
Curated OER
Bouncing Ball
High schoolers collect height versus time data of a bouncing ball using the CBR 2™ data collection device. Using a quadratic equation they graph scatter plots, graph and interpret a quadratic function, apply the vertex form of a...
Teach Engineering
Using Hooke's Law to Understand Materials
Provide a Hooke for a lesson on elasticity with an activity that has groups investigate a set of springs. They use a set procedure to collect data to calculate the spring constant for each spring using Hooke's Law. The groups predict the...
Teach Engineering
Edible Rovers (High School)
Design and build a rover ... then eat it? This activity has groups of two design and build Mars rovers. The teams determine what instruments they want to include with their rover and plan a budget. They calculate the cost of the body of...
Curated OER
What "Ohm's" You?
Students use the CBL and voltage probe to observe electricity. In this algebra lesson plan, students use the TI calculator with the CBL to explore Ohm's Law. They discuss exponential equations and how it relates to Ohm's Law.
Curated OER
Rhinos and M&M's
Learners analyze patterns of exponential models by collecting data in paper folding and M&M investigations. They use graphing calculators to create scatter plots that lead to equations for the exponential models. They then apply this...
University of Georgia
Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions
Equip your chemistry class with the tools to properly understand endothermic and exothermic reactions. Young chemists collect, analyze, and graph data to determine how the Law of Conservation of Matter is applied to chemical composition...
NASA
The Lunar Lander – Ascending from the Moon
What angle? Groups determine the height of the lunar lander as it ascends from the surface of the moon and calculate the angle of elevation of the lunar lander at specific times and distances. The provided series of questions lead the...
Curated OER
Electromagnets: Winding Things Up!
Students explore solenoids and electromagnets. After building an electromagnet, students use a TI Graphing calculator, a CBL 2 interface and a magnetic field sensor to measure the strength of a magnetic field. They create a graph of...
Curated OER
Mystery Liquids: Linear Function
High schoolers determine the linear equations of the density of water and oil by collecting data on the mass of various volumes of each liquid. They construct scatter plots from the data and use these to write the linear equations for...