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You have been selected by Out of this World Tours to create a travel flyer for one of the planets in our Solar System! This informational flyer will feature one of the planets as the latest travel destination, and provide valuable information about what visitors can expect.
We have had too many close calls with asteroids on a collision course with Earth, and NASA wants to do something about it.
What You Know:
On Monday, June 18, 2013 NASA announced a new initiative to find, track, and potentially relocate asteroids that may be on a collision course with Earth. The agency estimates it already has found up to 98 percent of the large asteroids, 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) in diameter or larger with orbits that pass relatively close to Earth. An object of this size could end civilization on this planet as we know it if it struck, similar to the global environmental changes that followed the asteroid impact 65 million years ago that led to the demise of the dinosaurs and most other life on Earth at that time.
What You Need to Accomplish:
NASA is looking for your help in figuring out a way to stop asteroids from hitting earth. You will have time in class with your group before testing your ideas. A missile blast from an orbiting rocket launcher will be used to deflect the asteroid away from earth.
PongSat Flight Mission
In order to better understand what types of life scientists will look for when they go to planets, you will construct a model (drawing) of an alien that has features that might allow it to live on or near the surface of a planet.
Conduct research about the environment on your assigned planet. Consider the geology, gravity, atmosphere, radiation exposure, and weather. Choose a habitat somewhere in the environment for the organism to live. Make sure your illustrations include ways your alien survives in such a difficult place.
This is a “what if” type activity that encourages you to apply your knowledge. What would an organism need to be like in order to survive in the harsh environment of your planet.
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/planets.html
What is a PongSat?
A PongSat is a ping-pong ball satellite. These vessels carry small scientific experiments. PongSats take flight by hitching a ride on a large “space” balloon. PongSats travel into Earth’s Stratosphere, where they experience drastic temperature changes and exposure to cosmic rays.
Who is JP Aerospace?
JP Aerospace is an independent space exploration program. Located in California, they are responsible for the PongSat program. The PongSat program is a totally free program that allows anyone, including students, to send scientific experiments to space.
Check out JPA’s website:
JPA’s PongSat informational page:
http://www.jpaerospace.com/pongsat/index.htm
Watch a sample PongSat flight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSjgLI2s72E
PongSat article on NBC.com:
Pre-Flight Preparation and Information
All students need to bring in 1 ping-pong ball, and their “experiment” on Friday, March 15, 2013.
Please place the ping-pong ball and the experiment inside a plastic baggie. We will decorate and assemble the PongSat in class.
PongSat Experiment Restrictions
Must fit inside the ping-pong ball
No insects or other animals
No chemicals
Nothing heavier than 3 oz.
Nothing explosive
Post-Flight Information
After our flight, JPA will gather all of our PongSats and send them back to us at FAMS. Additionally, we will receive a DVD of our flight mission.
Links
outstanding free crossword puzzle creation software
excellent resources for using handhelds in the classroom
make printable word searches and crossword puzzles
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