Remote Sensing: Activity – Engineering A1

Remote Sensing - Engineering A1 Front

Activity Timing

5 min. Introduction
15 min. Investigating Mirrors
30 min. Periscope Activity
10 min. Reflect

60 min. Total

Prep Reminder

Prep should take about 15 minutes

* Post the Engineering Design Process poster.
* Set up a sample obstacle course according to Obstacle Course Setup, p. 31 in the Educator Guide.
* Create a Materials Table with the materials listed on p. 25 of the Educator Guide.

Key Terms

Periscope: A remote sensing technology that uses mirrors to change the path of light in order to see around an object

Remote Sensing Vocab List

Remote Sensing FAQs

EDP Steps Used In This Activity

Identify, Investigate, Create, and Test

Purpose

Challenges youth to use multiple mirrors to see around obstacles and to create handheld periscopes.

Quick Tips

* Consider assigning roles for group members to keep everyone focused on the challenge.
* If youth are familiar with these concepts, consider setting up the periscopes and obstacle course as stations where they can move freely between activities.

Videos Related to this Activity

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

End of Activity Engineering Reflection

Today, we investigated the properties of light with mirrors. Scientists and Engineers use mirrors as a remote sensing technology to collect information from a distance.

Key Take Away

We can use mirrors to see objects from a distance and around obstacles.

Did you know?

NASA engineers use this same technology to send signals to the back side of the moon!