PlaneMath, a Web site that encourages children with disabilities to explore the fascinating world of aeronautics, is the result of two previously overlooked educational issues, according to its founders.
The first is that, around the fourth grade, current mathematics curricula are highly reliant on students' ability to use "manipulables" such as paper and pencil, calculators, or three-dimensional geometric models. Children with disabilities that affect their ability to manipulate objects (cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, specific hand/arm conditions, etc.), and who therefore find it difficult or impossible to use such manipulables, are clearly at an academic disadvantage.
The second issue came from the realization that physically disabled children may not consider or be prepared for career possibilities in aeronautics, nor may they be aware of the importance of mathematics in pursuing these careers. The Internet, with its multimedia and communication capabilities, holds great potential for allowing these issues to be addressed.
As a result, the PlaneMath Web site was built. It's located at http://www.planemath.com
PlaneMath is a set of online lessons and activities that invites all children to experience the excitement, power, and fun of mathematics and aeronautics. The project targets students in grades 4-7 in schools across the United States, and lessons are offered in both general and special education.
The goal of PlaneMath is to portray children and adults as bright, enthusiastic, and able to assist and work with others, regardless of ethnicity, background, disability, gender, etc.
Right now at PlaneMath, anyone can find:
- Nine fun, interactive lessons that follow the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) fourth grade standards
- Interviews with aeronautics professionals in a wide variety of fields
- Group activities for further practice of educational concepts
- Teacher pages that suggest strategies for additional resources for making the best use of PlaneMath
- Threaded discussion groups for teachers and students
- PlaneMath teacher registration for eligibility to win cool prizes
"PlaneMath" is a part of InfoUse's project entitled "An Internet-Based Curriculum on Math and Aeronautics for Children with Physical Disabilities." The project is funded through a cooperative agreement with NASA's High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Office as part of NASA's Learning Technologies Project (LTP). Its purpose is to develop new ways of teaching science, mathematics, engineering, and aeronautics through Internet-based information technologies.
Curator: Randolph Kim
Responsible NASA Official: Mark
Leon
Last Updated: 07/02/2002
