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Sector 33 Classroom Edition icon

Sector 33 Classroom Edition

NASA
Evidence Tier:TRUSTED

Expert-developed at a federal agency

For:General Public & EnthusiastsKids & Youth
Free
Download on the App Store

App Summary

Sector 33 Classroom Edition places students in the role of an air traffic controller, challenging them to use math and problem-solving skills to safely manage aircraft. NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate developed the game to illustrate the importance of mathematics in aviation and encourage student interest in STEM careers. As a mobile adaptation of educational software used in U.S. classrooms since 2005, the app makes this curriculum freely available to a wider public audience.

App Screenshots

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Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

This educational air traffic control simulator, developed by NASA, challenges users to manage aircraft in a designated airspace. The interface facilitates the adjustment of airplane speeds and routes to merge traffic into a single, safe stream. The application presents a series of puzzles that require users to apply mathematical concepts to maintain proper separation between planes, navigate weather obstacles, and optimize for efficiency, providing performance feedback upon completion of each scenario.

Development & Context

  • The app was created by NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate to engage middle school students in STEM fields and demonstrate the role of math in aviation.
  • It is a mobile adaptation of the "Smart Skies Line Up With Math" educational software, which has been used in classrooms since 2005.
  • Development and distribution were supported by partnerships with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).
  • The news coverage highlights that the app garnered positive user ratings shortly after its initial release for Apple devices.

Intended Use & Scope

This application is designed as an educational tool for middle school students and above. Its primary purpose is to support the development of math and problem-solving skills within a simulated aeronautics environment. The content is intended for educational support and does not represent a professional air traffic control training platform.

In the Media

Sector 33 Puts You in the Control Tower

NASA developed Sector 33 Classroom Edition to keep imaginary pilots and airliners safe by teaching air traffic control through math and problem-solving skills, using an educational game format spanning Nevada and California airspace. "Users of Sector 33 are telling us that they love the app, it's fun yet educational, and makes gamers think on their feet as they try to solve the various air traffic control problems built into the game," said Gregory Condon, manager of NASA's Smart Skies Education Project. The app has earned a five-star rating with more than 60 percent positive customer reviews since its January release.

NasaRead article

NASA Releases Sector 33 Air Traffic Control Educational Game App

NASA developed Sector 33 Classroom Edition to challenge middle school students and above to use basic math and problem-solving skills through an air traffic control simulation spanning Nevada and California airspace. "Our hope is that Sector 33 will give students a sense of the importance of math in managing our nation's air traffic and, at the same time, interest them in pursuing a career in aeronautics," said Jaiwon Shin, NASA's associate administrator for aeronautics research. The app builds on Smart Skies Line Up With Math, educational software that has been used in middle school classrooms across the United States since 2005.

NasaRead article

Sector 33 Classroom Edition

Free

iOS