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Geometry

Mars Orbit

9-12
Astronomers now know that the planets in our solar system travel around the Sun in roughly circular orbits. However, people used to believe that the Sun and other planets orbited the Earth. If that were the case—if the Earth were the center of our solar system—what would the orbit of the other planets look like relative to Earth? That is the question that students will explore in this lesson. Students will generate parametric equations to describe the position of planets relative to the Sun; then, they will combine the equations to describe the position of Mars relative to Earth.
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Number and Operations

Travel in the Solar System

6-8
Think about two aspects of the time required to complete space travel within the solar system.
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Measurement

Found Pounds

3-5
In this lesson, students will create memorable benchmarks for ounces and pounds by playing a classroom scavenger hunt game in which they gain points for finding objects that weigh approximately an ounce or pound. Students will practice weighing objects and will discuss why it is important to know the difference between ounces and pounds.
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Number and Operations

How Much Time Do We Need?

6-8
Students consider the amount of time that space travelers need to travel to the four terrestrial planets. Students also think about what kinds of events might occur on Earth while the space travelers are on their journey.
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Number and Operations

Space Shuttle

6-8
Students consider the amount of time that space travelers must spend on their journey. Students improve their concept of time and distance, while at the same time learn more about the solar system.
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Data Analysis and Probability

Long Distance Airplanes

3-5

Students make paper airplanes and explore attributes related to increasing flight distances. Each student collects data from three flights of the airplane and finds the median distance. Students then collect, organize, display, and interpret the median distances for the class in a stem-and-leaf plot.

This lesson was adapted from Travel in the Solar System in Mission Mathematics II: Grades 3‑5, a NASA/NCTM project, NCTM 1997.

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Data Analysis and Probability

Rescue Mission Game

3-5

Students play a game to learn about the four forces of flight: lift, drag, thrust, and weight. Before playing the game, students conduct a probability experiment with spinners and record their results in tally tables and bar graphs. They then use their findings to select spinners with the greatest probability of helping them win the game. In a portion of the game, students use ordered pairs to plot points on the coordinate plane to show their flight path.

This lesson was adapted from Travel in the Solar System in Mission Mathematics II: Grades 3‑5, a NASA/NCTM project, NCTM 1997.

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Measurement

Water, Water

3-5
Students compare the amount of water they use in daily life with the amount allotted for each person each day on a Space Shuttle. Within this context, students estimate and measure the weight of, and amount of space occupied by, a gallon of water. They collect, organize, graph, analyze, and interpret data from their investigations. The activities in this lesson are designed to span 2‑3 class periods.
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Measurement

Finding Our Top Speed

6-8
This lesson sets the stage for a discussion of travel in the solar system. By considering a real-world, hands-on activity, students develop their understanding of time and distance. Finally, students plot the data they have collected.