< Remote Sensing

How to Teach These Units

Take a little time to prepare and get ready to teach. The pages linked below give you an easy-to-follow checklist and resources that get you prepared for facilitating PLANETS activities.

STEM Night Activity: Exploring Light

Learners make and test a device that detects differences in light. Note that this activity is an adaptation of activities from the Remote Sensing Science Curriculum. It is intended for use at a booth at family nights, STEM Events, Fairs, etc. It has material that is repeated from the curriculum.

Explore how light can be divided into various wavelengths

Activity Downloads

  • 1

    Educator Guide (PDF) xx MB

  • 2

    Notebook (PDF) xx MB

  • 3

    Handouts (PDF) xx MB

Activity Timing

5 MIN. Build a light spectrum box.

5 MIN. to test and explore.

10 MIN. TOTAL

Setup: Prep Time 15 min

  • Print educator directions and Learner Handout. Assemble listed materials and set up on a table.

*See Materials & Preparation in the Educator Guide linked above for full info.

Learning Objectives/Key Messages

  • NASA uses remote sensing to make discoveries about other planets
  • Light can be divided into various wavelengths.
  • NASA measures the brightness of different wavelengths of light to learn what’s on other planets by measuring the light reflected off the rocks on the surface

Age/Ability

  • Independently 11 years-Adult
    • Adaptable for families of multiple ages