1. A Gigabyte of Music, How Much is That?

Source: NewsHour Extra

Convert equations to fractions, convert from one unit of measure to another and solve problems involving conversions.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

2. Are Colleges Still Affordable?

Source: NewsHour Extra

Investigate a mathematical model that compares the cost of education to potential earnings. Compute the amount to be repaid each year for the life of the loan, compare the answer to starting salaries and discuss other factors to be considered.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Functions and Algebra. Problem Solving.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

3. Bottles and Divers

Source: Mathline

Explore the concept of slope as a rate of change by measuring liquid levels in bottles of various shapes and creating a scatterplot of the data. Calculate the rate of change between two points on a curve by determining the slope of the line joints.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Functions and Algebra. Measurement.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

4. Building Boxes

Source: Mathline

Explore general patterns of polynomial and rational functions. Construct boxes of various dimensions, collect height and volume data and create a scatterplot in order to determine the height of the box with the maximum volume.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Functions and Algebra. Geometry and Spatial Sense.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

5. Circling the Square: Boxing Ring Math

Source: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

Explore modern specifications and construction of boxing rings. Apply various methods for finding the area of circles, rectangles, trapezoids and complex area coverings, and compare and contrast areas and overlaps for attack and defense in the ring.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Functions and Algebra. Geometry and Spatial Sense.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

6. Decoding Nazi Secrets

Source: NOVA

Investigate how ciphers can conceal and protect information and how they have been used. Decode an encrypted message using trial-and-error substitution and put a simple message into a complex cipher using a decoder ring.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math, Social Studies

Topics: Functions and Algebra. Problem Solving. World History: 1900-1945. World History: 1945-1990.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

7. Design and Math: Fashion Design - Patterns and Weaving

Source: Mathline

Investigate the use of the quadratic formula in weaving patterns, and look for mathematical patterns to solve problems in weaving designs.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

8. Elections and Voting: Approval Voting

Source: Mathline

Compare approval voting to standard voting, and apply the five kinds of voting to an election to determine the winner in a variety of situations.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math, Social Studies

Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations. Civics: Community & Citizenship.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

9. Elections and Voting: Borda Count Method

Source: Mathline

Create a formula for determining the total points for a candidate, then use the formula to determine the winner of an election using the Borda Count method.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math, Social Studies

Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations. Civics: Community & Citizenship.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

10. Elections and Voting: Pairwise Comparison

Source: Mathline

Develop a formula for the number of pairwise comparisons that will have to be considered in an election, then use the formula to determine the winner in an election requiring pairwise comparison.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math, Social Studies

Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations. Civics: Community & Citizenship.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

11. Getting Out of Line

Source: Mathline

Recognize patterns that are different from lines. Use real-world scenarios to explore basic connections between graphs, tables and symbolic representations for lines, parabolas, inverse models and exponential models.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

12. Graph It! Layers of the Rain Forest

Source: PBS 45 & 49: Ama-zone! The Rain Forest Project

Use a trigonometry function to determine the height of a tree. Make a graph comparing the height of a local tree and the height of the layers of the rain forest.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math, Social Studies

Topics: Functions and Algebra. Geography.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

13. Lost King of the Maya: Calendar

Source: NOVA

Understand that different cultures have used different calendar systems to mark time, examine the Maya Long Count calendar system and use it to determine your birthday and other dates.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math, Social Studies

Topics: Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations. Problem Solving. World History: 1000 BCE-300 CE.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

14. Math and the President: The Blue Room

Source: Mathline

Explore the mathematics of architecture by investigating the unusual shapes of some of the rooms in the White House, such as the Blue Room's elliptical shape. Use a graph to plot, draw and determine the equation of an ellipse.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math, The Arts

Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra. Geometry and Spatial Sense. Architecture.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

15. Mystery Liquids

Source: Mathline

Collect mass and volume data for two mystery liquids plus oil and water, create scatterplots and graphs, calculate linear models and interpret the results.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Data Analysis/Probability. Functions and Algebra.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

16. Pennies, Pressure, Temperature, and Light

Source: Mathline

Collect data from a variety of experiments, and determine what type of model best fits the data. Explore a variety of relationships using pennies, pressure, temperature, light and pendulums to determine algebraic equations.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math, Science & Tech

Topics: Applied Mathematics. Data Analysis/Probability. Functions and Algebra. Chemistry. Simple Machines.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

17. Plants: Continuously Changing Plant Growth

Source: Mathline

Develop a mathematical model for a plant which hypothetically grows in steps. Make a table showing the length of the plant's stem at the end of a number of steps, graph the values in the table and write a formula representing the pattern of growth.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Data Analysis/Probability. Functions and Algebra.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

18. Rhinos and M&Ms

Source: Mathline

Explore the patterns of exponential models in tables, graphs and symbolic forms, and apply that knowledge to make predictions in a real situation involving the rate of population decay in rhinos.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math, Science & Tech

Topics: Data Analysis/Probability. Functions and Algebra. Animals: Mammals. Ecology.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

19. Rovers on Mars

Source: NewsHour Extra

Investigate the nature of communications with the Rovers, including the use of Mars Orbiters as relay stations. Calculate transmission times and problems associated with sending and receiving messages with the probes.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math, Science & Tech

Topics: Applied Mathematics. Calculus. Functions and Algebra. Atmosphere & Space Science. Communications & Computing. Motion & Forces.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

20. Sports and Math: Batting Averages and More

Source: Mathline

Set up a spreadsheet using a computer or graphing calculator, and perform calculations using columns. Calculate percentages and solve a system of equations regarding baseball statistics.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Health & Fitness, Math

Topics: Sports. Functions and Algebra. Statistics.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

21. Squares Inside Squares

Source: Mathline

Use graphing calculators to generate a sequence by determining the areas of squares inscribed in squares, then write this sequence using the recursive form and the explicit form for the sequence.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Discrete Mathematics. Functions and Algebra.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

22. Stressed to the Breaking Point

Source: Mathline

Explore the relationship among the amount of weight that can be supported by a spaghetti bridge, the thickness and the length of the bridge to determine the algebraic equation that best represents a pattern modeled by the three variables.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math, Science & Tech

Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra. Engineering.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

23. Supersonic Dream

Source: NOVA

Examine how fuel use affects the mass of different planes during flight. Determine the per person fuel cost of a transatlantic flight for seven airplanes, and display the results on a bar graph.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math, Science & Tech

Topics: Data Analysis/Probability. Functions and Algebra. Motion & Forces. Transportation.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

24. The Busing Problem

Source: Mathline

Use substitution and the elimination method in order to solve linear programming problems with multiple variables. Describe the disadvantages of solving multi-variable problems with this method.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Discrete Mathematics. Functions and Algebra.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

25. The Yo-Yo Problem

Source: Mathline

Explore linear patterns, write a pattern in symbolic form and solve linear equations using algebra tiles, symbolic manipulation and the graphing calculator. Calculate a budget to save for a yo-yo, and create patterns with pennies.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

26. Three Men and a Balloon

Source: NOVA

Understand the basic principles of visual perspective and use visual perspective to estimate and calculate distance.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math, Science & Tech

Topics: Functions and Algebra. Transportation.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

27. Toothpicks and Transformations

Source: Mathline

Investigate quadratic functions using geometric toothpick designs. Match the symbolic form of the function to the appropriate graph, analyze the various transformations and determine the equation for the functions.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Discrete Mathematics. Functions and Algebra.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

28. Volcano's Deadly Warning

Source: NOVA

Understand what a sine wave is and how sine waves are combined. Explore constructive and destructive interference of sine waves and plot a complex wave.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math, Science & Tech

Topics: Functions and Algebra. Energy. Geology & Natural Disasters.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

29. Wave That Shook The World

Source: NOVA

Calculate the approximate speed of three tsunamis. Create a time travel map and chart that shows their arrival at specific geographic locations.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math, Science & Tech

Topics: Functions and Algebra. Geology & Natural Disasters. Oceanography.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

30. World in the Balance

Source: NOVA

Investigate factors affecting population growth rate by calculating how long it takes a country's population to double in size.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math, Social Studies

Topics: Data Analysis/Probability. Functions and Algebra. Anthropology/Cultures. Archeology.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

31. XY Encounters, Part 1 - "Right here in our city!"

Source: Mathline

Solve problems involving the plotting of two lines that intersect on a coordinate system. Follow the kids on the video as they use information from a "secret government Web site" to search for the location of aliens living under the city.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

32. XY Encounters, Part 2 - "So close, but yet so far."

Source: Mathline

Identify, describe and extend geometric and numeric patterns into growing and shrinking patterns, then represent and record patterns using tools such as tables and graphs. Follow the kids on the video as they use patterns to open a door in the cave.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Functions and Algebra.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

33. XY Encounters, Part 3 - - "Don't lose your head over this!"

Source: Mathline

Use number sense to identify and extend a pattern, and explore the pattern known as triangular numbers. Follow the kids on the video as they attempt to repeat a pattern of numbers and sequenced flashing lights.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Functions and Algebra.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

34. XY Encounters, Part 4 - "I've got your number."

Source: Mathline

Interpret multiple representations to name equivalent fractions, and represent fractions and mixed numbers using physical models. Follow the kids on the video as they use their knowledge of models and fractions to solve the mystery of the aliens.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Math

Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan