Standard 3: Represent and perform operations with vectors.

This MEA requires students to design a custom snowboard for five Olympic athletes, taking into consideration how their height and weight affect the design elements of a snowboard. There are several factors that go into the design of a snowboard, and the students must use reasoning skills to determine which factors are more important and why, as well as what factors to eliminate or add based on the athlete's style and preferences. After the students have designed a board for each athlete, they will report their procedure and reasons for their decisions.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this activity students will learn the relationship between:

• Distance and displacement
• Velocity and speed
• Vectors and scalars
• Acceleration

and demonstrate their knowledge through group presentations.

Type: Lesson Plan

Don't let the motion of the ocean cause a commotion! Learn how vectors describe ocean movement patterns.

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Expert

Senior Airman Jennifer Tisdale explains the role of vectors in management of flight traffic for the United States Air Force.

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

Ken Blackburn, an aerospace engineer for the United States Air Force, describes the relationship between wing shape and flight performance. 

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

Math is important to help you get where you want to go in life, especially if you plan to fly there!

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

When you watch this video, your knowledge related to flight and physics will really take off!

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

What’s your vector, Victor? Understanding math and wind helps get you where you want to go.

Related Resources:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: GPS Data Set[.XLSX]
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Path Visualization for Google Earth[.KML]

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

Feeling off-balance when it comes to motion? Try this idea.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Can't tell if it's heads or tails with vectors? Try these demos.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Set sail with this math teacher as he explains how kites were used for lessons in the classroom.

Related Resources:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: GPS Data Set [.XLSX]
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Path Visualization for Google Earth [.KML]

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The text shows how math is used to create the life-like computer generated images seen in movies such as Jurassic Park and Lord of the Rings.

Type: Text Resource