http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_navigation/cub_navigation_lesson03.xmllessontext/xmlIntegrated Teaching and Learning Program, approximationcalculationgeometrynavigationsurveyingtrigonometrytriangulationgeometrytrigonometry

Students learn that math is important in navigation and engineering. Ancient land and sea navigators started with the most basic of navigation equations (speed x time = distance). Today, navigational satellites use equations that take into account the relative effects of space and time. However, even these high-tech wonders designed by engineers cannot be created without pure and simple math concepts — basic geometry and trigonometry — that have been used for thousands of years. In this lesson, these basic concepts are discussed and illustrated in the associated activities.

Engineering plays a part in the design and creation of navigational devices that are used for safety and recreation. Math is an essential engineering tool (you don't have to love math, but you do have to know how to "do" math to "do" engineering). Navigational satellites designed and tested by engineers use equations that take into account the relative effects of space and time. Since these satellites often use the sun’s energy to power electronics, engineers must accurately calculate the optimal angle to orient a satellite’s solar array using mathematical concepts such as the Pythagorean Theorem. Engineers use their math skills to calculate the future relative positions of these objects since they are continuously in motion. Describe how navigation and engineering are based on mathematics Describe how the Pythagorean Theorem solves real-world problems. Explain the difference between accuracy and precision 50TeachEngineering.orgJeff WhitePenny AxelradJanet YowellMalinda Schaefer Zarskehttp://www.utc.edu/~cpmawata/geom/geom2.htmhttp://www.staff.vu.edu.au/mcaonline/units/trig/trigraddegrees.htmlhttp://www.utc.edu/~cpmawata/geom/geom7.htmhttp://www.utc.edu/~cpmawata/geom/geom6.htmS11416DDInternational_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyF. Knowledge gained from other fields of study has a direct effect on the development of technological products and systems.68S114172CInternational_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyC. Many inventions and innovations have evolved using slow and methodical processes of tests and refinements. 68S11426CFColoradoMathb. Use representations of linear functions to analyze situations and solve problems 88S114275EColoradoMathb. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find unknown lengths in right triangles 88S11425BDColoradoScienceb. Describe methods and equipment used to explore the solar system and beyond 88United StatesCopyright 2012 - Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulderhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2011-11-308Teacher