Remote Sensing

Grade 6-8

Remote Sensing

Design technologies to learn about the surface of a mystery moon and use NASA Mars data to choose a landing site for a rover!

Science

Use NASA data to learn about sites on Mars and choose where to land a rover.

4 Activities • 40–60 minutes class time per Activity

Engineering

Design and create remote sensing devices to help scientists learn about a far-away moon.

8 Activities • 55–60 minutes class time per Activity

Home

Engineer a device to split wavelengths of light, then use it to learn about different light sources. Design a way to illuminate dark areas.

2 Activities • 60 minutes total

Discovering planetary data from Earth: how science and engineering can help us learn about the solar system!

science

Worlds Apart: Remote Sensing of Mars

In these Activities, youth answer the guiding question, "How can we use data collected from a distance to choose a landing site on Mars?"

science

Worlds Apart: Remote Sensing of Mars

In these Activities, youth answer the guiding question, "How can we use data collected from a distance to choose a landing site on Mars?"

Unit Activities

Remote Sensing - Science Unit - All Files All Files	zip 26.3 MB
FM_Remote_Sensing_Science_Front_Matter Science Educator Introduction	pdf 6.04 MB
Remote-Sensing-Science-Educator-Guide Science Educator Guide	pdf 16.33 MB
Remote-Sensing-Science-Notebook Science Notebook	pdf 1.06 MB
Remote-Sensing-Science-Data-Packet Data Packet	pdf 3.85 MB
PLANETS_Remote-Sensing_Gr6-8_Science-Series_Alignments-to-NGSS Standards Alignment	pdf 127.22 KB

Youth will explore how NASA uses remote sensing data to choose landing sites.
Youth will learn that topographic data can help choose a safe and interesting landing site.
Youth will learn that spectroscopy reveals the "fingerprints" of different minerals.
Youth will consider all the data they have gathered to recommend a landing site that is both safe and scientifically interesting.

engineering

Worlds Apart: Engineering Remote Sensing Devices

In these Adventures, youth answer the guiding question, "How can we design remote sensing devices to help scientists learn about a far-away moon?"

engineering

Worlds Apart: Engineering Remote Sensing Devices

In these Adventures, youth answer the guiding question, "How can we design remote sensing devices to help scientists learn about a far-away moon?"

Unit Activities

Remote Sensing - Engineering Unit - All Files All Files	zip 27.31 MB
FM_Remote_Sensing_Engineering_Front_Matter Engineering Educator Introduction	pdf 682.56 KB
Remote-Sensing-Engineering-Educator-Guide Engineering Educator Guide	pdf 7.53 MB
Remote-Sensing-Engineering-Journal Engineering Notebook	pdf 6.75 MB
Remote-Sensing-Engineering-Journal-Spanish Engineering Notebook in Spanish	pdf 8.61 MB
Engineering-Design-Process_Poster Engineering Design Process Poster	pdf 5.12 MB
PLANETS_Remote-Sensing_Gr6-8_Engineering-Series_Alignments-to-ITEEA-STEL-NGSS Standards Alignment	pdf 218.3 KB

Youth will learn that they can use mirrors to collect information from a distance by changing the way light travels.
Youth will learn that scientists and engineers use remote sensing devices to gather information about the topographical features of a landscape.
Youth will learn that engineers often use models to represent the technologies or materials they are investigating.
Youth will explore how engineers often collaborate with scientists to determine the criteria and constraints of a project.

home

Remote Sensing Investigation

In this Activity, youth discover how a diffraction grating splits light into different wavelengths.

home

Remote Sensing Investigation

In this Activity, youth discover how a diffraction grating splits light into different wavelengths.

Unit Activities

Remote Sensing Home - All All Files	zip 6.54 MB
Remote_Sensing_Investigation_Guide Investigation Guide	pdf 3.71 MB
Remote_Sensing_Investigation_Data_Packet Investigation Data Packet	pdf 3.18 MB

Youth will learn that light is composed of different wavelengths.
Youth will explore how a diffraction grating can show the wavelengths in a particular light source.
Youth will learn how scientists use wavelength "fingerprints" to identify different minerals.
Families will consider how to illuminate dark areas of their homes.

How to Teach These Units

Explore all Remote Sensing offerings including background videos, downloads, learning pathways, and more!

Educator Resources

Remote Sensing

Remote Sensing

Remote Sensing

Science

Engineering

Home

Worlds Apart: Remote Sensing of Mars

Worlds Apart: Remote Sensing of Mars

Worlds Apart: Engineering Remote Sensing Devices

Worlds Apart: Engineering Remote Sensing Devices

Remote Sensing Investigation

Remote Sensing Investigation

How to Teach These Units

Learning Resources

NASA Resources

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