Lesson Plan
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Is Measuring an Art or a Science?

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
Not only do future engineers learn the difference between accuracy and precision, they also get some hands-on experience using different measuring tools. 
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Illustrative Mathematics

Accuracy of Carbon 14 Dating I

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Here is an activity that is intended to highlight a very important issue about precision in reporting and understanding statements in a realistic scientific context. Discuss different ways of reporting the half life of Carbon 14...
Lesson Plan
Illustrative Mathematics

The Lighthouse Problem

For Teachers 9th - 11th Standards
Long considered the symbol of safe harbor and steadfast waiting, the lighthouse gets a mathematical treatment. The straightforward question of distance to the horizon is carefully presented, followed by a look into the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quinoa Pasta 3

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
A mixture of quinoa and corn is for dinner in this collaborative task that sets up nicely as a system of linear equations. Your supper guests discuss numerical precision and percentages as they formulate a plan of how to solve the problem.
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Illustrative Mathematics

Running Around a Track I

For Teachers 7th - 11th Standards
The accuracy required by the design and measurement of an Olympic running track will surprise track stars and couch potatoes alike. Given a short introduction, the class then scaffolds into a detailed analysis of the exact nature of the...
Activity
Las Cumbres Observatory

Calculating the Age of Solar System Objects

For Teachers 6th - 10th
The number of craters on the surface of solar system objects has a direct correlation to its age. Learners use the concept to determine the age of several objects in the solar system. Using satellite images, they count craters within a...
Activity
It's About Time

Mass and Volume

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Don't be so dense that light bends around you; study the relationship between mass and volume instead. Young chemists measure the density of a variety of liquids and solids. A reading passage and analysis questions introduce pupils to...
Activity
Teach Engineering

Accelerometer: Centripetal Acceleration

For Teachers 8th - 10th Standards
Scholars build robotic arms that swing back and forth and use them to collect velocity and acceleration data. To analyze the results, pupils compare data to the equations for angular velocity and centripetal acceleration.
Activity
Curated OER

Task: Range of Motion

For Teachers 7th - 10th Standards
If you have ever injured your shoulder, you know it takes a while to improve your arm's range of motion. In this real-world example, young mathematicians gain insight into the world of physical therapy while they analyze a case study...
Activity
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Curated OER

Access Ramp

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Just about every public building that your students are familiar with has an access ramp which complies with ADA requirements. As it turns out, designing such a ramp is an excellent activity to incorporate slope, the Pythagorean Theorem,...
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Curated OER

Accurately Weighing Pennies I

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Drawing from a scenario of the history of the penny, learners write and solve a system of linear equations from a context.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quinoa Pasta 2

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Learners discover that a system of linear equations models this mixture of quinoa and corn in a collaborative task. Your learners receive all the relevant information in this second of three variants of tasks that ask them to find...
Lesson Plan
Illustrative Mathematics

How Many Cells Are in the Human Body?

For Teachers 9th - 11th Standards
Investigating the large numbers of science is the task in a simple but deep activity. Given a one-sentence problem set-up and some basic assumptions, the class sets off on an open-ended investigation that really gives some...
Activity
Math Is Fun

Math Is Fun: Accuracy and Precision

For Students 3rd - 8th
The difference between accuracy and precision is explained, with a precautionary note about being aware of possible bias in the measuring instrument.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Computer Accuracy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Accuracy of measurement in navigation depends very much on the situation. If a sailor's target is an island 200 km wide, sailing off center by 10 or 20 km is not a major problem. But, if the island were only 1 km wide, it would be missed...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: About Accuracy and Approximation

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students learn about the concepts of accuracy and approximation as they pertain to robotics, gain insight into experimental accuracy, and learn how and when to estimate values that they measure. Students also explore sources of error...
Activity
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Plix: Accuracy and Precision

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this interactive you will slide the red dot right to see how well each of the throwers can throw. You will need a sign-in to access this media, but it will be well worth your time!
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Close Enough?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Accuracy of measurement in navigation depends very much on the situation. If a sailor's target is an island 200 km wide, sailing off center by 10 or 20 km is not a major problem. But, if the island were only 1 km wide, it would be missed...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Measuring Up

For Students 3rd - 5th
Measurements are very important for scientists. It is especially important that the measurements be accurate. Think about how important accuracy is when you want to know if you are taller than a friend of yours, every inch counts. In...
Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: Learning Measurement Conversions Through Statistics

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Students learn the conversion relationship between inches and centimeters through data collection. The data collected results from measuring items using inches and centimeters as the units. They use a TI-73 to input the data into lists...
Activity
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Micrometer Model

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Use this virtual model to simulate the basic operations and accuracy of a micrometer while manipulating the physical parts of the object.
Activity
Shodor Education Foundation

Shodor Interactivate: Comparison Estimator

For Students 3rd - 5th
Use this applet to practice your estimating skills comparing length, area, counting or a random sampling of those topics. You can also adjust the difficulty and the precision needed. The applet also lets you know how close you are to the...
Activity
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Plix: Measurement Uncertainty

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this interactive you will measure the box against the three different rulers to best determine the height of the box with each ruler. You will need a sign-in to access this media, but it will be well...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Accelerometer: Centripetal Acceleration

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students work as physicists to understand centripetal acceleration concepts. They also learn about a good robot design and the accelerometer sensor. They also learn about the relationship between centripetal acceleration and centripetal...

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