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Rescue of the Chilean miners - The 33
Rescue of the Chilean miners - The 33

On August 5, 2010, the San Jose copper-gold mine near Copiapó, Chile collapsed stranding 33 miners in a large cavern more than 2,000 feet below ground. A new...

Geometry Math and Science Grades 6–HS
How much have doughnuts changed?
How much have doughnuts changed?

Part of the Smithsonian's Sally L. Steinberg Collection of Doughnut Ephemera -- Click on the image to see it larger. When you are working on volume in your...

Algebra Number Sense Grades 7–HS
What's with the plovers?
What's with the plovers?

Cute little birds. Piping plovers are nesting on beaches along the Atlantic coast. Consequently beaches are often roped-off or closed to protect their nests and chicks. Is this...

Algebra Number Sense Grades 6–HS
How Many Donuts is That?
How Many Donuts is That?

Act One: Take a look at the first picture (Krispy-Kreme-photos). What is the first question that comes to mind? How many donuts is that? What information would be...

Number Sense Geometry Grades 3–6
California water measurements - chains, links, and furlongs
California water measurements - chains, links, and furlongs

Help your students understand what they are reading or hearing about the California drought. Terms like acre-feet, chains, and furlongs are often used to describe the volume of...

Algebra Geometry Grades 4–7
Chili Con Queso
Chili Con Queso

A ct 1: Take a look at the promo at Moe's. What is the first question that comes to mind? How much does a 42-gallon jug of Chili...

Number Sense Math and Food Grades 4–5
Which Sweet Hearts are the Best Deal?
Which Sweet Hearts are the Best Deal?

I have been doing a little shopping for Sweet Heart Candies. I came across these three deals online. Which should I select? In this activity, students determine which...

Algebra Number Sense Grades 5–6
How much does a Lego cost?
How much does a Lego cost?

This is a three act task, with an activity guide. Show students the act one video. What questions do they have? How much could the Star Wars kit...

Algebra Number Sense Grades 5–6
Kilauea's lava flow
Kilauea's lava flow

[caption id="attachment_15749" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Halema‘uma‘u Lights the Morning Sky - Photo taken from the overlook by the Volcano House on January 30, 2014 - NPS photo[/caption] The volcano,...

Number Sense Geometry Grades 4–7
Saffron and paella
Saffron and paella

In order to cook Paella (a delicious Spanish rice dish) I needed to buy Saffron spice. It was hugely expensive. So, I've decided to start a business of...

Algebra Number Sense Grades 4–HS
An ounce of cola
An ounce of cola

Which is more expensive; gasoline? milk? or cola? Students calculate the per ounce cost of each of these liquids in a story about a man doing errands. After...

Number Sense Math and Food Grades 4–6
Cost of light bulbs
Cost of light bulbs

This activity has been updated (2026). See the new activity here: https://www.yummymath.com/post/light-bulb-cost-comparison/ There's a lot of misinformation out there about the cost to consumers of CFL and LED...

Algebra Number Sense Grades 4–HS