Getting Ready to Teach Remote Sensing

Welcome to your guide for teaching the Remote Sensing unit in grades 6-8 out-of-school programs.

Welcome to Remote Sensing!

This page is dedicated to helping you explore the educator resources for Remote Sensing. The exploration below has been designed to support your successful implementation of the Remote Sensing unit.

If you haven’t already reviewed the Getting Ready to Teach PLANETS page, then take a few minutes to review that before you jump into the Remote Sensing resources below.

To get ready to teach Remote Sensing, the resource below will engage you in:

Experiencing a Remote Sensing activity
Reviewing the unit-specific resources for Remote Sensing (e.g., materials lists)
Exploring different options for implementation that best fit with your learning environment

Remote Sensing Educator Resource Exploration

Whether working solo or with a team, this deep dive into the Remote Sensing unit resources will best prepare you for a successful launch with your learners.

Download a Planning to Teach Template and Remote Sensing Educator Guide (1 min.)

Optional Download – Planning to Teach Template You can use this printable version of the resource exploration outlined below that provides space to capture planning notes and reflections.

Science will be the example guide to explore. Take a minute to Download this full guide. The page numbers listed in the checklists below match the Remote Sensing Science Educator Guide. Note that you can find nearly identical resources in the Engineering guide – all planets educator guides follow similar structures to help make it easy to find things when you go from one unit to another.

Experience a Remote Sensing Adventure (45-60 min.)

Prep materials for the Ready SET Go! activity (Page 9)
Engage in Context Setting Activity – Ready SET Go! (Pages 7-15)

Get a high-level view of the unit (15-25 min.)

Navigating the Unit (Pages iv-vii)★
Exploring the Unit Learning Pathway (Page xxiii-xxvi) ★

Explore the Features and Teaching Supports (35 min.)

Review the Unit Materials List ★
- Interactive materials list
  - This spreadsheet helps you calculate the total cost of materials needed for this unit.
  - Step 1: Enter the number of sections/classes you’ll teach in cell A2 (yellow box)
  - Step 2: Enter the estimated number of learners per section in cell A3 (yellow box)
  - The spreadsheet will automatically calculate your total material costs based on these numbers.
  - Additional Information:
  - Direct purchase links are provided for each item in column N
  - Individual item costs are shown in column L
  - Total costs per item appear in column M
  - Prices shown are 2025 estimates
  - Your total cost appears at the bottom right: Cell M37
- Printable materials list (Page 2)
Strategies to support Multilingual Learners, Learners with Diverse Physical Abilities and Indigenous Learners (Pages viii-xvi)

Implementation Plans (10 min.)

Chart your course for your specific program!

Suggested implementation plans for afterschool and summer camps★

Science and Engineering each have 9 activities intended to take about 45 minutes of instructional time per activity.

★ If you don’t have time for the longer exploration of Remote Sensing, exploring the resources with the star symbol next to them is essential preparation and will take ~45 min.

Additional supports

Be sure to explore the Additional Resources linked in the navigation menu for every unit. Those resources include additional science and engineering background information, an All Downloads page, and All Videos Page, Quick Links, and resources to connect with families and community members.