PUMAS (Practical Uses of Math And Science)

Description:
PUMAS, which stands for Practical Uses of Math And Science, is an on-line journal of brief examples illustrating how math and science concepts taught in pre-college classes are actually used in everyday life. PUMAS offers a way for researchers to make a substantial contribution to education with a relatively small investment of time and effort.

PUMAS examples may be activities, anecdotes, descriptions of "neat ideas," formal exercises, puzzles, or demonstrations, written primarily by scientists, in any style that serves the material well.  They are intended mainly to help K-12 teachers enrich their presentation of science and math in the classroom.  The PUMAS web site provides wide distribution; the site receives over 3,000 hits per week, on average.

Teachers can search the PUMAS collection based on curriculum topic, grade level, or subject. They can select relevant examples, and develop ideas of their own about how to integrate the material into their lesson plans.

All examples are peer-reviewed by at least one scientist with a relevant background, and at least one teacher at an appropriate grade level. Once accepted, an example is a citable reference in a refereed science education journal, and may be listed in your resume.

Interested in participating? The examples are available to everyone via the PUMAS web site.  The project also needs teachers at all grade levels, scientists, and engineers to volunteer for the pool of PUMAS reviewers. And the project is always looking for good examples of the Practical Uses of Math And Science.

URL:
http://pumas.jpl.nasa.gov

Organization:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Cost:
Free

Contact:
Ralph Kahn, editor and founder, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, MS 169-237, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA; Phone: 818-354-9024; FAX: 818-393-4619; Email: ralph.kahn@jpl.nasa.gov

Education Level:
Kindergarten-Grade 4
Grades 5-8
Grades 9-12

Subject:
Earth System Science
Mathematics

Program type:
Teacher Training (In-service)

Date Added to teachearth.com:
5/1/00