Real World: Computer Simulations – Turning Complex Ideas Into Solvable Equations
How does NASA test ideas, like the Mars Helicopter, before they are even built? Find out more about this revolutionary helicopter and how NASA uses mathematical modeling to turn complex ideas into solvable equations that help shape future missions.
Discussion and writing prompts
1. Scientists and engineers often use computer simulations before creating a real object or conducting an experiment. Why are simulations valuable tools for solving complex problems? Describe a situation in which testing an idea with a computer simulation would be safer, faster, or less expensive than testing it in the real world. Explain how the results could improve the final design.
2. Many scientific systems (for example weather, planetary motion, or spacecraft design) are too large, too small, or too complex to study directly. How do computer models help scientists better understand these systems?
3. Computer simulations become more accurate as scientists collect better data and refine their models. Why is it important for scientists to continually compare their simulations with real-world observations? What does continually revising scientific models as new evidence becomes available tell us about how science works?
Background Information
Grades 4 through 12
- NASA eClips Guide Lites: Comparing Science and Engineering Practices Using Black Boxes (pdf)
- Science News for Students Models: How Computers Make Predictions (webpage)
- Science News for Students Prepping for Drone Exploration of Mars (webpage)
- NASA Ingenuity Mars Helicopter (webpage)
- My NASA Data Mathematical Modeler (webpage)
Grades 5 through 12
- NASA 10 Things: Mars Helicopter (webpage)
Grades 6 through 12
- NASA eClips Real World: From Idea to Physical Prototype (video)
- NASA Computational Modeling (webpage)
- NASA Helping Keep Astronauts Safe With Advanced Simulations, Visualizations (website)
- NASA NASA Mars Helicopter Technology Demonstration (video)
- NASA Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility (interactive)
- The Kid Should See This The JPL Engineers Behind Mars Insight & MarCo (webpage)
- Science Learning Hub Scientific Modeling (webpage)
Activities
Grades K through 8
- NASA Make a Paper Mars Helicopter (website)
Grades 4 through 12
- NASA JPL Experience Insight (interactive)
- NASA Climate Time Machine (interactive)
Grades 6 through 12
- NASA Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility (interactive)
- NASA Modern Figures Toolkit (website)
- NASA Code a Mars Helicopter Video Game (website)