Remote Sensing Beta Test – Engineering Activity 3: Taking Shape

15 min. Introduction
10 min. Investigate
30 min. Map a Test Surface
10 min. Reflect

65 min. Total

Prep Time: 10 min

Set up Materials Table.

Create a sample LiDAR device.

A3 Educator Guide

A3 Engineering Notebook

Data Collection Grids

This snapshot intended for quick reminders and is not a replacement of the guide. Be sure to use the guide for detailed preparation instructions and implementation scripts.

Bird’s-eye view: a perspective from above 

Radar: radio detection and ranging 

Sonar: sound detection and ranging 

Topographic map: a representation of the shape of land in an area 

Topography: the shape of land in an area 

Remote Sensing Engineering Vocab List

Collaboration, Creativity

Youth engineer a model of a LiDAR technology to capture the shape and height of a landscape (topography). 

How can we gather information about topography? 

• Use bundles of straws as models to represent how remote sensing with laser technology can produce topographic maps. 
• Develop ideas for changing the design of the straw model to better map the surface of objects.  

• Engineers often use models to represent the technologies or materials they are investigating and test their technologies in model conditions. 
• Engineers design technologies that capture complex data to make it easier to understand and use for different purposes. 
• Engineers must evaluate the quality of the data their technologies produce. 

Science Snippet: Build your content knowledge to help answer youth's questions.

Can you tell me a story about our landscape / the land on which we live?

• NASA Planetary Laser Altimetry
• NASA Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter
• NASA Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter
• Spacecraft and Instruments
• NEAR Laser Rangefinder
• Intro to LIDAR Video

• Family Connections
• Youth Resources