NOAA
Satellite Communications
How do satellites communicate? What types of satellites orbit Earth? Discover and mimic the way satellites communicate between two points in a hands-on activity that has pupils using mirrors, flashlights, and marbles.
Curated OER
Communication Delay
Construct a maze in your classroom and have a blindfolded scientist act as a space rover, maneuvering unfamiliar terrain while another scientist plays commander. Classmates record the number of occurrences of the commander having to...
Curated OER
Where Am I - Navigation and Satellites
Learners explore geography by completing a navigation activity in class. For this satellite positioning lesson, students define terms such as orbit, satellite, GPS and triangulation. Learners view diagrams of the Earth's orbit and...
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What Makes Up An Artificial Satellite?
Young scholars discover the components of a satellite using analogies to humans in a class discussion and participate in an activity in which they construct a paper model of a satellites and experiment with different types of attitude...
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Keep In Touch: Communications and Satellites
Fourth graders explore communications by reading assigned space science text. In this satellite instructional activity, 4th graders identify the concept of orbiting and examine gravitational pull by viewing diagrams. Students are...
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Communication Satellites
In this communication satellites worksheet, students complete a table showing the satellite, the lifespan of the satellite, the number of transponders on the satellite and the cost of the satellite. Students determine the retire year,...
Space Awareness
A View From Above
Analyzing and interpreting satellite data takes knowledge and patience. Through a detailed lab investigation, young scholars learn the process of analyzing this data. They use technology to create color images and maps from real...
Curated OER
Sea Ice and Satellites
Students study satellites and satellite images using Google Earth. In this satellite lesson, students discuss satellites and how they work. Students watch a demonstration of how satellites work and learn what they are used for. Students...
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Satellite Mobiles
Students discuss satellites and their functions. They design and construct their own satellite out of readily available materials. Students are taught the definition of a satellite. They discuss the two main purposes of satellites:...
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Keep in Touch: Communications and Satellites
Students investigate how satellites help people communicate with others far away and in remote areas. They discuss a scenario of someone travelling to an area with no mode of communication, observe a teacher demonstration, and create a...
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Comparing the Satellite and Broadcast Radio Landscapes
High schoolers research the development of satellite technology over the last 50 years students explain how the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 changed the rules for corporate ownership of multiple media outlets.
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Eyes in the Sky
Learners examine the use of satellites. In this research lesson, students discuss the history of satellites and how we use the information today. They will conduct interviews with older adults who have lived in the changing times from...
Curated OER
The Use Of Satellites
Students use the Internet to do research. They organize information and make a presentation on a satellite to the class. They discuss the capability of the leading edge of technology for a given time.
Space Awareness
Valleys Deep and Mountains High
Sometimes the best view is from the farthest distance. Satellite imaging makes it possible to create altitude maps from far above the earth. A three-part activity has your young scientists play the role of the satellite and then use...
Curated OER
Where Am I: Navigation and Satellites
Students explore the concept of triangulation that is used in navigation satellites and global positioning systems designed by engineers. They determine ways these technologies can help people determine their position or the location of...
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Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer Satellite Dataflow Demonstration
Students participate in a hands-on demonstration of the communication between the EUVE satellite and a scientist on Earth.
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Satellite Simulation
Students explore communication ovr long distances using satellites. The lesson uses a light beam to represent a radio signal being relayed from one place to another via a "mirror satellite."
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Creativity in Science
Students view a video segment and discuss the technology and preparation that go into a satellite launch. They identify data that satellites can provide and consider how many people are involved in a satellite launch.
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Exploring Space: Scramble
Middle-school space science explorers review remote sensing and electromagnetic radiation vocabulary terms by unscrambling them. Consider having space scholars write out the definitions for each after unscrambling. If they take time to...
Space Awareness
Where on Earth Am I?
Almost every phone has GPS installed, but a large number of teens don't know how the technology works. An initial activity illustrates how GPS determines a location on Earth. Scholars then apply trilateration procedures to a...
Science 4 Inquiry
Deforestation
Young scientists observe deforestation from satellite photos and discuss the importance of forests to the global environment. They then simulate a plot of forest when farmers move into the area over the course of seven years. Finally,...
NASA
Space-Based Astronomy on the Internet
Young scientists compile everything they have learned into a report in the fifth and final lesson in a unit on the visible light spectrum. Access to photos from observatories, telescopes, and satellites allows learners to compare and...
Curated OER
I'm Not In Range
Learners discover how cell phone service works while participating in a role play activity. They identify its advantages and disadvantages based on service. They examine how engineers use this information to develop better...
Curated OER
Interpreting Aerial Photographs
Students interpret aerial photographs. They view aerial photographs or satellite-produced images to locate and identify physical and human features. They study satellite images and label their images for bodies of water, clouds,...