It's a Big Universe

Compute the distance to several astronomical bodies, and how long it would take to get there with various modes of transportation.

Subject: Algebra
Topics: Powers, Roots and Scientific Notation
Grades: 6 - 9
Knowledge and Skills:
- Can do arithmetic operations with numbers that are expressed in scientific notation

Download Teacher Guide: It's a Big Universe (PDF)
Download Student Activity: It's a Big Universe (PDF)

Algebra in the Real World Movie:

Looking into TimeLooking into Time

The science of optics teaches us how to make "bigger eyes", and if you want to look at something very far away, or very faint, you're going to need a really huge eye--such as the one used at Kitt Peak by astronomers studying distant galaxies.
Running time 3:29 minutes.

Watch the Movie