Remote Sensing Beta Test Family Connections

Dear Family Members and Educators,

This remote sensing investigation was created by PLANETS, a partnership between learning experts and planetary scientists to create fun educational activities using NASA science. PLANETS is funded by NASA and stands for Planetary Learning that Advances the Nexus of Engineering, Technology, and Science.

• Learn more about why we focus on Engineering and Science.
• Learn more about why we focus on connecting families with STEM learning.

There are different ways for families to interact with the science and engineering content. One option is a series of three family meetings, one at the beginning, one in the middle and one at the end. Please see the invites below for a brief description of each. However, it is understood that not all families can meet in person, so there are conversation prompts in each activity for youth to bring family knowledge from the home to the program. If you're able to do the three meetings, the family connections prompts at the beginning of each activity are a bonus. An additional option is to recommend or invite a community member as a guest speaker.

Three meeting format (if chosen):

• Initial Family Meeting - Have a meeting of educators, families, and youth to discuss what form you would like your program's family and/or community connections to take.
• Mid-Unit Family Gathering - At the mid-unit family gathering, families are invited to tell stories or share community knowledge in response to the unit story prompts - see the invitation below for a list of story prompts for this unit.
• Showcase - At the end of the unit, there is an opportunity for youth to share what they have done and reflect on how family and community knowledge was connected to the science and/or engineering content throughout the unit.