PUMAS (poo' • mas) -- is a collection of brief examples showing how math and science topics taught in K-12 classes can be used in interesting settings, including every day life.

The examples are written primarily by scientists, engineers, and other content experts having practical experience with the material. They are aimed mainly at classroom teachers, and are available to all interested parties via the PUMAS web site.

Our goal is to capture, for the benefit of pre-college education, the flavor of the vast experience that working scientists have with interesting and practical uses of math and science.

- Ralph Kahn
Pumas Editor and Founder

Featured PUMAS Example

Preventing Hypothermia by Lorraine Remer
Hypothermia occurs when a warm-blooded animal, such as a person, becomes extremely cold, and loses control of his or her body's core temperature. This is much more likely to happen when a person wet than dry. Hypothermia can cause death. Oftentimes it is difficult to know when someone starts to go into hypothermia. It is even difficult to know when you yourself are experiencing the beginning signs.
(view this example)

View the Examples

There are currently 93 examples in the PUMAS Collection.
View the full listing, organized by Example title.

We are always looking for neat examples of Practical Uses of Math And Science.
Please contribute!