NASA CONNECT ™- Educator Guide: PSA: The Astronaut's Helper

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PSA: The Astronaut's Helper

Educator Guide

Description

Students tackle a problem that NASA scientists face in designing a spherical robot for space-based vehicles. They find the maximum surface area of a rectangular prism with a given volume that fits into a sphere of a specified size. In the extension activity, students will determine whether a tall cylinder or a short cylinder with the same volume has more surface area.

Instructional Objectives

The student will

find the maximum surface area of a rectangular prism that has a volume of 24 cubic inches and fits into a sphere with a diameter of 8 inches.

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Books, periodicals, pamphlets, and web sites may provide teachers and students with background information and extensions. Inclusion of a resource does not constitute an endorsement, either expressed or implied, by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Produced by the NASA LaRC Office of Education
Responsible NASA Official: Dr. Robert M. Starr
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