Content Showcase: Math in the News

August 2021. In this issue of Math in the News we look at various charts and statistics about the Tokyo Olympics. Students are shown a series of charts and are then asked questions to encourage them to analyze the data. This is an excellent back-to-school activity with the focus on real-world data.

December 2022. In this issue of Math in the News we look at box office hits and misses from Disney. The House of Blockbosters every now and then misfires. It's useful to analyze box office data to see what we can learn from the hits and misses. 

December 2022. In this issue of Math in the News we look at the Orion rocket's return to Earth from its lunar mission. This provides an opportunity to explore different types of orbits. 

December 2022. In this issue of Math in the News we look at a probability model for predicting the winner of the World Cup. 

6/6/11. In this issue we look at the technology of Doppler Radar and explore its underlying mathematical structure.

December 2022. In this issue of Math in the News we look at box office data for he new Avatar sequel. Will it have the same success?

February 2023. In this issue of Math in the News we look at NFL statistics for the number of concussions. The NFL now tracks concussion, and this is an opportunity to analyze this data and draw conclusions.

6/13/11. In this issue we explore the volcanic eruption in Chile that resulted in a huge plume of smoke and ash that was miles high. We explore the viscosity of lava that makes such eruptions possible.

6/20/11. In this issue we look at the possibility of an NFL strike and what the issues are that keep players and owners from coming to agreement.

6/27/11. In this issue we look at the technology of hydraulic fracking. In particular, we estimate the amount of drilling required for such wells.

7/4/11. In this issue we look at box office receipts for blockbuster movies as well as flops. There is a characteristic curve that results for either type and we develop some regression models based on the data.

7/11/11. In this issue we look at the underlying factors that make Texas such a powerhouse for employment. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau, we dig into the numbers.

7/18/11/ In this issue we bid farewell to the space shuttle program and explore the mathematics behind space travel.

7/25/11. In this issue we look at the elite group of baseball players that have hit 3000 or more hits in their careers. The most recent is Derek Jeter, and based on the records of previous 3000+ hitters we explore whether he will make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

March 2011. In this issue we look at the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan, and the amount of heat generated from the radiation leak.

8/1/11. In this issue we look at the physics of air pressure and the forces that give rise to heat waves.

8/8/11. In this issue we look at federal spending and the growth of such spending. Looking at data provided by the government, we calculate the annual rate of growth.

8/15/11. In this issue we look at the specifics of the new NFL collective bargaining agreement. It provides an opportunity to apply data analysis and algebra skills.

8/22/11. In this issue we look at the way in which the U.S. government borrows money. This involves an exploration of Treasury bonds and notes.

8/29/11. In this issue we look at random path of a hurricane by developing a simulation for tracking the path of a hurricane.

9/5/11. In this issue we look at the financial state of the U.S. Postal Service to see why it is having such a difficult time staying in business.

9/12/11. In this issue we look at data for the U.S. Open to explore why it has been so long since there has been a champion from the U.S.

9/19/11. To commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the 911, we look at the geometry and architecture of the Freedom Tower, currently under construction.

9/26/11. In this issue we look at the state of the euro and the economies in the Eurozone.

10/3/11. In this issue we look at the recent crash landing of the UARS satellite. We investigate why it is so difficult to predict where such satellites will land.