University of Colorado
Planetary Distances on the Playground
Earth is 149,600,000 km, or 92,957,130.4 miles, from the sun. Young astronauts create an interactive model to learn the distances between planets. Nine groups, each representing a different planet, are spread around at class-calculated...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Planetary Distances on the Playground
There's no need to stay inside; get out of the classroom and create a scaled map of the solar system on your playground field! In collaborative groups, scholars identify the distance between the sun and other planets, place planet...
Curated OER
A Real Life Example of the Distance Formula
Students answer the following question: "Using the lines of latitude and longitude, what is the distance (in degrees) if you were to travel from NASA Dryden to NASA Ames?" They use the distance formula to find the distance (measured in...
Curated OER
Distances in Space
For this distances in space worksheet, students learn about astronomical units and light years as measurements for great distances. Students use both of these units of measurements to solve five problems.
Curated OER
Speed, Distance and Time
In this speed and distance worksheet, students calculate the average speed of various items. They determine the speed of cars, trains, worms, and children running. Students also determine the amount traveled in a given period of time....
Curated OER
Orienteering - Lesson 4 - Distance and Height
Pretend that you've been dropped onto a mountain, in the middle of nowhere, and all you have to find your way is a topographical map and a compass. Could you find your way to the nearest town? Orienteering teaches the skills of map...
Illustrative Mathematics
Distance across the channel
Here you will find a model of a linear relationship between two quantities, the water depth of a channel and the distance across the channel at water level. The cross section of the channel is the shape of an isosceles trapezoid. The...
Curated OER
Braking Distance
This real-life model of braking distance motivates learners to approach quadratic equations algebraically, numerically, graphically, and descriptively.
Curated OER
You Are Here
Students map local places and learn to use scale and distance. In this mapping lesson, students map their school and a favorite place. Students recreate their maps showing distance and scale sizes. Students locate their location on a...
Curated OER
Estimate Distances on a Map
In this estimation worksheet, students estimate the distance on a city map based on the scale given to them. Students answer 4 short answer questions.
Curated OER
The Pythagorean Theorem, the Distance Formula, and Slope
Students explore the concept of the Pythagorean Theorem. For this Pythagorean Theorem lesson, students derive the distance formula and slope of a line from the Pythagorean Theorem.
Curated OER
Solving Word Problems Involving Measurement
Help your class convert fractions to decimals and assess the relationship between a mile and a kilometer. This slide-show is intended to assist learners as they solve word problems that involve measuring long distances.
Virginia Department of Education
Solar System Model
How many planets can you name? Did you get all 13 in our solar system, including the dwarf planets, or were you surprised when you read there are 13 planets? The lesson helps scholars understand the scale of the universe including the...
Curated OER
Prey or Pray? Could YOU Escape a Cheetah?
Tenth graders estimate the size of an adult cheetah by research and measurement of a picture. They determine the approximate distance and speed of the cheetah from a filmed chase and compare that to their own running speed.
Shodor Education Foundation
InteGreat
Hands-on investigation of Riemann sums becomes possible without intensive arithmetic gymnastics with this interactive lesson plan. Learners manipulate online graphing tools to develop and test theories about right, left, and midpoint...
DiscoverE
LIDAR: Mapping with Lasers
We would be lost without maps! How are they made? Introduce junior topographers to LIDAR technology with a fascinating activity. Set up a mock city, then have learners operate a laser measure to determine the shape of the landscape using...
Curated OER
How Tall is that Tree?
Students use their feet to measure distance between themselves and a tree trunk. In this distance lesson, students use the number of steps, and string to measure distances and height of the tree. Students can get the tree height when...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Big vs. Little - Macro to Micro Lesson 3
A nanometer is the approximate distance your fingernail grows in one second. Hard to visualize, isn't it? The third of a five-part activity on scale seeks to help learners understand the size of the nanoscale of measurement. Using...
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Toilet Paper Solar System
Can we model how large the solar system really is? Attempt an astronomical feat with a hands-on-activity that uses a roll of toilet paper. Young scientists measure the distances of the planets from the sun to create a scale model of the...
Curated OER
Understanding Distance in Space
Students discover the vocabulary used for distances in space and review measurement units and instruments before creating a scale model of the planets. They determine how to calculate the relative distances between the planets using a...
Curated OER
Estimating Distances
Fifth graders explore the concept of estimating distances between two places on a map. In this estimating distances lesson, 5th graders interpret maps according to measuring distance. Students choose a place on a map and find the...
Curated OER
Water to the Max
Students experiment with the angle that yields the greatest distance of water at constant pressure. In this experiment with the angle that yields the greatest distance of water at constant pressure instructional activity, students shoot...
Curated OER
The Train and Bee Problem
In this problem solving worksheet, students solve 1 word problem about two trains and a bee traveling towards each other. Students determine the distance traveled by the bee given velocity of the trains and bee, and the distance between...
Curated OER
A Walk Around the Earth
In this walk around the earth problem, students determine how much farther your head travels than your feet. They use the circumference of the earth and pi to determine the distance traveled. This one page worksheet contains one...