Students explore the different types of measurements used in astronomy. In this space science lesson, students explain the relationship between planets' orbits and distance from the sun using Kepler's Laws. They discuss how math aides in...

Discover the science behind astronomy. After reading the book Maria's Comet, which is about a young woman who breaks new ground by becoming a female astronomer, young learners practice reading comprehension with...

Students are introduced to the Pythagoras' Theorem and its history, proofs and practice in application. Students find perimeters, areas and volume of everyday objects. Students state and explain the theory.

The ancient Mayans had a complex calendar and number system with a rich history. In fact, the date 12/21/2012 was the center of much controversy as to whether or not it was the end of time. It wasn't the end of time, but...

A lengthy narrative about Pythagoras and his students precedes an activity in which your young mathematicians practice using the Pythagorean theorem to solve three problems about flight and distance. Answers are provided. 

Ninth graders study the uses of spectroscopy and the operation of the Hubble space telescope.  In this astronomy lesson students complete a lab activity that includes graphing star color and temperature.

Students choose an interesting problem related to space travel and then design a plan to solve the problem. They present their solution to the class.

Astronomers practice downloading data from a high-energy satellite and translate the data into colored or shaded pixels. As a hands-on activity, they use pennies to simulate high-energy satellite data and they convert their penny...

Here is a set of lessons that explore conics in a number of different ways. Starting with modeling how a conic is produced by the way a plane cuts the cone, to solving complex word problems, algebra learners progress through a series of...

Students analyze transits from previous scientists. They identify simple objects that could have been used for documentation in the science world. They also practice scientific inquiry using methodology.

Students use the Drake Equation to calculate the probability of sustaining life on various planets. Through the use of the equation, they determine whether intelligent and advanced civilizations can be developed on planets other than...

Students create news articles that help them build their knowledge, skills, and academic confidence. In this special education lesson, students use previous knowledge to write a newsletter and demonstrate their understanding of various...

For this geometry worksheet, students examine similar right triangles as the basis for the foundation of trigonometry. Students define the basic trigonometric functions and use a calculator to find the trigonometric value of an angle....

Students examine total eclipses of the Sun and their limited regions of totality. They explain that this limited view occurs because the Moon is close enough to us for different points on Earth to view it differently.

The University of St. Andrews, Scotland, presents hundreds of biographies of famous mathematicians, histories of math in various cultures, and interesting facts on the development of important math concepts. This is a huge reference....

This site, which is provided for by the University of St. Andrews, gives a detailed history of the Halley family and Edmund Halley's life and contributions to science.

This Clark University site gives a brief historical perspective into how trigonometry is used in astronomy, geography, engineering, physics, and mathematics.

History and mathematics merge in this lesson that explores the origin of the calendar. Learn how it all got started in this detailed lesson that includes a simple months of the year game and a more challenging time conversion game. Both...

A profile of the ancient Greek mathematician, geographer, and astronomer, Eratosthenes. Looks at his many accomplishments, including measuring the circumference of the Earth and the distance to the Moon and the Sun. Includes links to...

Events of Rene Descartes' life are presented in a timeline form. The biographical information is taken from "A Short Account of the History of Mathematics" by W. W. Rouse Ball (4th Edition, 1908).

This site, which is provided for by the University of St. Andrews, gives a brief biography of Christopher Clavius with references for additional study.

Claiming that "mathematics was composed of four branches, namely geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, and music", Archytas made an impact on Plato and other mathematicians.

This site provides a very general overview of astrolabe principles with links to other pages for more detailed information.

Not much is known about the life of Eudoxus, a famous Greek mathematician. This is a brief description of what we do know about him.