
Activity Timing
5 min. Introduction
25 min. Video and Card Game
5 min. Reflect
35 min. Total
Prep Snapshot
Prep Time: 30 min
- Be sure to watch the context setting video.
- Invite a family or community member for this Activity.
- Copy question cards for each group of 4.
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.
Glossary
NASA: the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Remote: far away or distant
Remote sensing: collecting information at a distance
Sensing: collecting or becoming aware of information
21st Century Skills Connection
Collaboration, Critical Thinking
Habits of Mind
- Apply science knowledge to problem solving.
- Investigate features and uses of tools.
Activity Overview
Youth learn about the ways that scientists and engineers rely on each other during NASA missions by watching a video and use question cards to discuss the ways in which engineering design and develop technology that can help answer scientific questions. The youth NASA challenge is to design remote sensing devices for a mission to Mars.
Guiding Question
How do scientists and engineers work together on a NASA mission to learn about another planet without going there?
Youth Will Do
- Draw connections between questions asked by scientists and those asked by engineers.
Youth Will Know
- On NASA missions, engineers design technologies to help planetary scientists gather data to answer their questions.
- Remote sensing technologies gather data from a distance.
- Youth have a NASA engineering challenge to solve.
Videos Related to this Activity
Family Connections Story Prompt
Can you tell me a story about a technology or tool that made a big difference in your life?
Additional Resources
Connecting Across Activities
- In the Engineering Prep activity, youth experienced the Engineering Design Process.
- In this activity, youth explore how scientists and engineers work together and they learn the engineering challenge for the rest of the activities: to design remote sensing technologies for a NASA mission.
- In Engineering Activity 1, they engineer a technology that gathers information by redirecting light.