The 2021 NASA Pi Day Challenge is Here!

As March 14 approaches, it's time to get ready to celebrate Pi Day! It's the annual holiday that pays tribute to the number that results from dividing any circle's circumference by its diameter. Pi is used all the time at NASA to explore Earth, Mars, and worlds beyond. Pi Day comes around only once a year, giving us a reason to chow down on our favorite sweet and savory pies while we appreciate the mathematical marvel that helps NASA explore Earth, the solar system, and beyond. There's no better way to observe this day than by getting students exploring space right along with NASA by doing the math in our Pi Day Challenge. Visit our Teachable Moments blog to find out how students can put their math mettle to the test and solve real problems faced by NASA scientists and engineers as they explore the cosmos! Plus, explore the resources below to discover even more ways to celebrate Pi Day with NASA. TEACHABLE MOMENTS Take Math to Mars and Beyond With NASA's Pi Day Challenge Learn about pi and the history of Pi Day before exploring some of the ways the number is used at NASA. Then, try the math for yourself in our Pi Day Challenge. › Read the Blog Pi Day Resources Pi in the Sky Lessons Here's everything you need to bring the NASA Pi Day Challenge into the classroom. Mathematics | Grades 4-12 Time: Varies NASA Pi Day Challenge The entire NASA Pi Day Challenge collection can be found in one, handy slideshow for students. Mathematics | Grades 4-12 Time: Varies Mobile & Web Backgrounds Can't get enough pi? Download this year's NASA Pi Day Challenge graphics as mobile phone and web meeting backgrounds: OSIRIS-REx: Mobile | Web Mars Helicopter: Mobile | Web Deep Space Network: Mobile | Web Aurora: Mobile | Web Solar Wind (not pictured): Mobile | Web Medley (not pictured): Mobile | Web 18 Ways NASA Uses Pi Whether it's sending spacecraft to other planets, driving rovers on Mars, finding out what planets are made of or how deep alien oceans are, pi takes us far at NASA. Find out how pi helps us explore space. How Many Decimals of Pi Do We Really Need? While you may have memorized more than 70,000 digits of pi, world record holders, a JPL engineer explains why you really only need a tiny fraction of that for most calculations. 10 Ways to Celebrate Pi Day With NASA on March 14 Find out what makes pi so special, how it's used to explore space, and how you can join the celebration with resources from NASA. Related Lessons for Educators Robotic Arm Challenge In this challenge, students will use a model robotic arm to move items from one location to another. They will engage in the engineering design process to design, build and operate the arm. Engineering | Grades K-8 Time: 30-60 minutes Whip Up a Moon-Like Crater Whip up a moon-like crater with baking ingredients as a demonstration for students. Science | Grades 1-6 Time: 30-60 minutes Make a Paper Mars Helicopter In this lesson, students build a paper helicopter, then improve the design and compare and measure performance. Engineering | Grades 2-8 Time: 30-60 minutes Speaking in Phases Students learn how waves are used in communication between far-away spacecraft and the Deep Space Network on Earth. Science | Grades 3-8 Time: 30-60 minutes Catching a Whisper from Space Students kinesthetically model the mathematics of how NASA communicates with spacecraft. Mathematics | Grades 4-12 Time: 1-2 hours Collecting Light: Inverse Square Law Demo In this activity, students learn how light and energy are spread throughout space. The rate of change can be expressed mathematically, demonstrating why spacecraft like NASA's Juno need so many solar panels. Science | Grades 6-8 Time: Less than 30 minutes Build a Relay Inspired by Space Communications In this intermediate-level programming challenge, students use microdevices along with light and mirrors to build a relay that can send information to a distant detector. Technology | Grades 8-12 Time: 1-2 hours Math Rocks: A Lesson in Asteroid Dynamics Students use math to investigate a real-life asteroid impact. Mathematics | Grades 8-12 Time: 30-60 minutes Related Activities for Students Code a Mars Helicopter Video Game Create a video game that lets players explore the Red Planet with a helicopter like the one going to Mars with NASA's Perseverance rover! Project | Technology Make a Paper Mars Helicopter Build a paper helicopter, then see if you can improve the design like NASA engineers did when making the first helicopter for Mars. Project | Engineering How Does NASA Spot a Near-Earth Asteroid? Watch this one-minute video to find out how NASA spots and tracks asteroids that fly close to Earth. Video | Science What's That Space Rock? Find out how to tell the difference between asteroids, comets, meteors, meteorites and other bodies in our solar system. Slideshow | Science Share the Pi Day Fun! Tell us what you're up to this Pi Day and share your stories and photos on our showcase page. Plus, join the conversation using the hashtag #NASAPiDayChallenge on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Explore More UPCOMING LIVE STREAM Taking Flight – How Girls Can Grow Up to Be Engineers Join NASA for a webinar with a talented team of women engineers who work on Mars every day. › Watch Online About Us The Education team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory brings the wonder of NASA missions and science to students and educators to inspire and engage the next generation of explorers. Learn more about our offerings at the links below: Standards-aligned STEM lessons and Teachable Moments for K-12 educators STEM activities for K-12 students STEM internships and research opportunities for college students and faculty Educational programs and networks for informal educators

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