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Space Math at NASA: Exploring the Milky Way

Thumbnail_SM_Exploring the Milky Way
Levels
  • Intermediate (6-8)
Material Type
  • Math
  • Problem set
  • Educator/Facilitator Guide
Math Skills
  • Arithmetic
  • Logarithms
  • Scientific Notation
Heliophysics Big Ideas
  • Big Idea 1.1 – The Sun is really big…
  • Big Idea 3.3 - Our Sun, like all stars, has a life cycle.
NGSS
  • ESS1 - Earth's Place in the Universe
Heliophysics Topics
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Interstellar Space
  • Sun
  • Stellar Evolution
Related Missions
  • Hubble Space Telescope (Astro)
  • James Webb Space Telescope (Astro)
Material Cost per Learner Free
Language English

This problem set and educator's guide from Space Math at NASA offers real-world astronomy and space science math activities for students grades 6-8 to enhance middle school STEM curricula and physical science lessons. Teachers can integrate these challenges directly into units on the electromagnetic spectrum, stellar evolution, and the Sun to help students apply mathematical skills to complex astronomical data. Students can work through the problems sequentially or as standalone exercises to model concepts related to missions like the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes.

Credits: SpaceMath@NASA, Dr. Odenwald

Downloads

Space Math_Exploring the Milky Way

Aug 31, 2026

PDF (4.72 MB)