Real world, mathematics-based educational activities provide context for learning and break down barriers to learning in mathematics and science. SpaceMath@NASA (hereafter SpaceMath) provides teachers with real-world math activities in a space context in support of standards, by using current NASA discoveries as a starting point for motivating…

Every object we think of or encounter, whether a natural or human-made, has a regular or irregular shape. In its own intrinsic conceptual design, it has elements of mathematics, science, engineering, and arts, etc., which are part of the object's geometric shape, form and structure. Geometry is not only an important part of mathematics, but it is…

Provides practical applications of elementary coordinate geometry while discussing how mathematics is used to assess the security of systems. (ASK)

Proves that there really are people who use algebra in their jobs and that there are issues in society that require an understanding of mathematical concepts and processes which can be taught in an Algebra I class. Provides real-life situations and activities that use algebra. (ASK)

The World's Largest Math Event (WLME) 4 is the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' (NCTM) celebration of mathematics and mathematics education and is the highlight of Mathematics Education Month. This year's event is slated for April 30, 1998 with the theme "Landmarks: Seeing the World by Numbers". This theme encourages students…

Presents an activity in which students study mathematically the structure of the most perfect building ever created, the Parthenon. Focuses on the conic sections. (ASK)

Discusses a town called Chartres and its cathedral which features the figure of Pythagoras. Discusses the Pythagorean theorem and his mathematical contributions to music. (ASK)

Outlines the embedded mathematics in which important but hidden calculations are being done for communications in commerce. Explains two key concepts, error detecting codes and error correcting codes. Illustrates these ideas using two familiar examples, barcodes and ISBN numbers. (ASK)

Presents an activity in which students study geometrically the structure of tiling in a cafe in Bristol. (ASK)

Discusses the mathematical features of the Royal Greenwich Observatory. Describes measuring latitude and longitude, pendulum clocks, telling time, and chronometers. (ASK)

Presents an activity that projects Easter dates into the distant future by using the Gregorian calendar. (ASK)

Presents an activity using the familiar fairy tale "Cinderella" to provide the context for stimulating mathematical thinking about a real life problem. Makes use of graphing calculator technology to investigate the relationship between shoe sizes and shoe lengths. (ASK)

Presents a student project in which students need to design a drainage system for a simple parking lot to study volumes of right cylinders and solids. Provides project assessment guidelines, which list a scoring criteria for this project. (ASK)

The HeadJam series is comprised of six programs exploring mathematics, science, and critical thinking skills. It is an award-winning, educational videotape series for middle school students that explores multi-disciplinary skills in a highly entertaining way. The teacher's guide and 22-minute video, "Go Figure," demonstrate how math is…

Presents a student mathematics project aimed at developing students' skills with computer spreadsheets and using the Internet to give students an appreciation of the many ways that mathematics can describe common everyday items--in this case the bicycle--and make them aware of their own role in learning. (ASK)