Real World Math & Science

University of Massachusetts > STEM > December 2008 | Real World Math & Science

SCIENCE ON TRACK | Roller Coasters

Loops, drops, speed and exhilaration are all key ingredients to a good roller coaster ride... but so are physics and algebra.  Show your thrill-seeking students why science and math are essential to a safe, fun ride.

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INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING | Solar Powered Cars

Using the energy it takes to run a hair dryer, this solar-powered car travels 200 miles at speeds of 50 to 65 mph. Meet the team of students who built it.

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STATISTICS IN BASEBALL | First One in the Ballpark

Lisa Winston is a sports reporter.  She does most of her work before the game even begins.  She couldn't do her job if she didn't know math.  Show your students why statistics and algebra are crucial to the game of baseball.

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ALGEBRA IN THE REAL WORLD | Creating Cars

Your students like to ride in them, plan to drive one and hope to own one, but do they know they could also have a job designing them? Inspire your class by taking them inside Ford Motor Company to see how designers and engineers use math to steer the direction of their concept cars.

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ALGEBRA IN THE REAL WORLD | The Starshade

Is there life on planets in other star systems? It's a very old question. But finding the answer may get simpler, thanks to a breakthrough made by astrophysicist, professor and inventor Webster Cash.

Treat your students to this innovative concept that could lead to incredible discoveries, and be sure to check out the companion classroom activity that connects a common observation of car headlights in the distance to angles, trigonometric ratios and astrophysics.

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THIS SCIENCE IS FOR THE DOGS | Veterinary Medicine

Young people who like animals often think about a career in veterinary medicine, but do they connect that goal to their classroom lessons? Introduce them to Pamela Dendtler, a veterinarian and business owner who relies on math and science every day.

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THE MATH IN A MEAL | The Bakery

Whether he's making fresh bread, mouth-watering chocolate croissants or perfectly flaky apricot Danishes, this baker has to make sure that he has just the right amount of each ingredient.  What's one of his most important tools?  Math.

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PROBLEM SOLVING | Frame Stress

When force is applied to something to see how it affects its shape, it is often called stress. The amount of bending can be measured as an angle, and is called the deflection.  This activity places students in a bicycle R&D lab where they must graph and predict deflection for a new bicycle frame design.

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