JPL Space Math and Pi

Yesterday, I introduced everyone to the fifth activity in a group of activities created by JPL called "Solar Sleuth: A "Pi in the Sky" Math Challenge!"

Yesterday I shared the fifth activity so today I'll share a bit more about the first four activities. The first one or beginning one is just labeled "Pi in the Sky". 

Its infographic introduces students to the Soil Moisture Active Passive or SMAP satellite, the Curiosity Mars rover, Juno orbiting Jupiter, and something on the Cassini spacecraft.  At the end of each explanation students will find a mathematical question to answer."Pi in the Sky 2" infographic introduces students to the Mars Exploration rover, the Dawn spacecraft and Ceres, Europa and a possible liquid ocean, and the twin Voyagers.  Each topic has a wonderful description ending with a question.

 "Pi in the Sky 3" follows the same format but covers Titan's atmosphere, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter,  the explanation of a transit, and the Juno spacecraft having to brake.  The last one, "Pi in the Sky 4" addresses impact craters, the 2017 eclipse, Cassini's death, and the hunt for a habitable planets.

What is coolest about all of these besides providing the infographic, student handouts, and answer sheets, is they provide a challenge slide show which puts all of the problems together into a slide show if you'd prefer to do it that way.  There is a worksheet for each slide.

There is also something explaining five ways NASA uses Pi and provides a problem for students to solve.  In addition, there is a link to a blog entry discussing the how many digit's of pi we really need when using it in calculations.

I love this set of activities because students are able to read infographics, identify the information needed to answer the question at the bottom.  Real world skills that are covered more often in science classes than math classes.  I plan to use these activities in math class over the year to give my students more chance to practice reading for information.

Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.