Mathematics in Astronomy

Astronomy in the Mathematics Classroom

Developing Astronomy-themed Math Problems for Grade 5 to 10
Mathematics in Astronomy
Illustration: Eleen Hammer unter Verwendung eines Bildes von NASA, ESA, the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA), A. Nota (ESA/STScI) and the Westerlund 2 Science Team

The topic

Development of astronomy problems

Development of astronomy problems

Image: F. Eberhardt

This project is aimed at developing math problems for grade 5 to 10 of secondary schools, solely utilizing contexts of astronomy to train and practice mathematical skills. Studies found that students’ keen interest in astronomy can raise their motivation for problem solving, thus promoting math education. Anchoring astronomical knowledge in turn, equally benefits the subject of astronomy, especially since it has been omitted from curricula of several federal states of Germany.

The project is subdivided into different phases. After assessing the current state of textbook exercises and finding criteria to evaluate these math problems, new classroom materials are created. These include astronomical math problems and their solutions, additional comments for teachers, and classifications in terms of pre-knowledge and educational requirements. The final phase consists of an advanced training for secondary school teachers to promote this new approach and the collection of astronomy-centered math problems we created.

Developed mathematics problems (German)

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    1. Kl 5_6 Besonderheiten der Marslandschaft_Darstellungsformen de
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      pdf
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      1 mb
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    2. Kl 5_6 Besonderheiten der Marslandschaft_Maßstäbe de
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      File size:
      900 kb
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    3. Kl 5_6 Mars-Rover de
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      pdf
      File size:
      1024 kb
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    4. Kl 5_6 Urozean auf dem Mars de
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      File size:
      770 kb
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    5. Kl 6 Polarlichter in Deutschland de
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      File size:
      387 kb
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    6. Kl 7 künstliche Objekte auf dem Mond de
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      1 mb
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    7. Kl 7 Landungen auf dem Mond de
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      File size:
      333 kb
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    8. Kl 7 Mars-Erde-Vergleich de
      File type:
      pdf
      File size:
      689 kb
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    9. Kl 7 Marsatmosphäre de
      File type:
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      File size:
      497 kb
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    10. Kl 8 Schwarzschildradius de
      File type:
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      File size:
      302 kb
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    11. Kl 9 Exoplanetengröße Transitmethode de
      File type:
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      File size:
      706 kb
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    12. Kl 9 Planeten in Opposition de
      File type:
      pdf
      File size:
      860 kb
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Contact

Eleen Hammer
PhD student
Eleen Hammer
Image: privat
Room 109
August-Bebel-Straße 4
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link