sector33NASA, the U.S. space agency has released a new iOS game called Sector 33. The educational title aims to teach youngsters math and reasoning skills as they act the role of an air traffic controller in charge of ATC Sector 33 as they guide planes to San Francisco International Airport from the East over California and Nevada.

Players adjust multiple planes' path and speed to safely reach a target location in the sky in the fastest time possible while keeping the plans a safe distance apart.

"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 in Washington.

The math-focused game also aligns with the NASA Office of Education's mission to engage students in activities related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"Today's students respond positively to experiential learning," said Leland Melvin, NASA's associate administrator for education. "Using an interactive game to spark their interest, while at the same time teaching them fundamental math concepts, is a win-win scenario. It is a perfect way to help cultivate the next generation of engineers and technologists."

sector33screenie
NASA is no stranger to iOS apps, having launched an iPhone app in 2009 to help users stay on top of the latest NASA news.

Sector 33 is available free for iPhone and iPad from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

reden Avatar
175 months ago
Shuttle program shut down? Lets make video games!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coder12 Avatar
175 months ago
About the only thing they can afford to do these days.

They should sell Apps and get more money :( I want to go to the moon!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PracticalMac Avatar
175 months ago
Shuttle program shut down? Lets make video games!

About the only thing they can afford to do these days.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ArtOfWarfare Avatar
175 months ago
I guess they're trying to get the next generation prepared for when this guy becomes president*:



*I neither support nor actually expect him to win, I just thought the image was pretty funny and fit the topic well enough.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SamFisher Avatar
175 months ago
They should have made it paid, NASA need the money to get to mars damn it! XD

will try this app however, it's like flight control for boffins :)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mamajt Avatar
175 months ago
I totally fell in love with that game, completed it in one evening. Can you recommend some similar games?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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