MC	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

How does the telescope help us understand the moon?

a. It tells us how it was formed.

b. It tells us how hot it is there.

c. It helps us see surface features.

d. It can tell us what the moon is made of.

Correct Answer: c

MC	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

What is an important function of space probes, such as Voyager, as they travel in space?

a. To land on each planet and report the conditions there.

b. To take pictures and send them back to Earth.

c. To analyze what each planet is made of.

d. To see if life exists on other planets.

Correct Answer: b

MC	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

A probe landed on mars and did soil tests. What new information did it discover?

a. There are no living organisms in Martian soil.

b. Martian soil is red and rocky.

c. Mars is about one-fourth the size of Earth.

d. The gravity on Mars is much less than on Earth.

Correct Answer: a

MC	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

What have probes landed on Venus recently discovered?

a. The atmosphere appears white.

b. It is the third planet from the sun.

c. There are volcanoes on its surface.

d. Venus is larger than Earth.

Correct Answer: c

MC	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

Pictures from space are sent to Earth. How are they printed?

a. On paper from film sent from the probe.

b. A computer reads a code and places dots on paper.

c. They are drawn by hand as the information is received.

d. They are sent through space by rocket and are already printed.

Correct Answer: b

MC	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

Which of the following instruments could best see the rings on Saturn?

a. your eye

b. binoculars

c. a telescope

d. a magnifying glass

Correct Answer: c

MC	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

Some objects are invisible in space yet astronomers know they exist. What is their knowledge based on?

a. They give off radio or X-rays that we can analyze.

b. They were once visible and people recorded it.

c. Astronomers have a ÒsixthÓ sense that helps them know.

d. Computers can see things that people cannot.

Correct Answer: a

MC	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

Observed Physical Features

Celestial Body	Instrument	Physical Features
Moon	Telescope	Light patterns, craters, hills, valleys
Mercury	Telescope	Light patterns, hills, valleys, craters
Venus	Space Probe	Craters, valleys, hills
Mars	Telescope	Hills, volcano craters, valleys, mountains, ice caps, empty river beds, empty lakes

Physical features of the planets in the chart are visible through a telescope except Venus. Why would a telescope not be good enough to see craters, valleys, etc. on Venus?

a. Venus is covered with clouds that block our view of its surface.

b. EarthÕs clouds get in the way of Earth-bound telescopes.

c. The moon blocks our view of Venus.

d. Scientist are fearful of viewing Venus through telescopes because it is too near the sun.

Correct Answer: a

MC	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

Technology	Discovery
Hubble Telescope	Quasar, Galaxies
Radio Telescope	Evidence of Black Holes
International Space Station	Greater detail, Planets, Sun
Optical Telescope	Planets, moon

The discovery of non-light emitting celestial bodies were found mainly through:

a. Hubble Telescope

b. International Space Station

c. Optical Telescope

d. Radio Telescope

Correct Answer: d

MC	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

Why would you see more detail of the planets from the Hubble Telescope and space probes than from Earth-bound telescopes and the naked eye?

a. The Hubble Telescope and space probes are larger than many Earth-bound telescopes.

b. Earth-bound telescopes are not as good quality.

c. Computers are only used with the Hubble Telescope and space probes.

d. The Hubble Telescope and space probes are located outside of the EarthÕs atmosphere.

Correct Answer: d

E	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

Space probes have not landed on Pluto yet. Describe three types of information you would collect if you were designing the probe. Tell what you think the results of each test might be.

Correct Answer:

Students may mention temperatures, movement of crust, composition of crust, type of atmosphere, gravity, presence of life, etc. The results of these tests would indicate that Pluto is very cold, mostly ice, little or no atmosphere, small gravity, and no life.

E	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

How do we know about outer space, beyond our solar system?

Correct Answer:

From information gathered through telescopes.

E	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

How have computers aided our understanding of space?

Correct Answer:

They are able to take large amounts of data and process it quickly.

P	6^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 02. Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to scienceÕs understanding of the solar system.
ILO:

Telemetry

Activity Description:  

Students will send a message to a partner who will decode it in a similar manner to real space communications.

Materials Needed:

grid sheet, pictures of simple objects

Prior to Assessment:

Students should know that messages traveling through space must be sent via electromagnetic rays such as light or radio waves.  A picture is sent using a code, which a computer then decodes.  The computer places a dot of the correct shade in a space (called a pixel) and makes row after row of dots.  A picture emerges.

Time Needed:

one and one half hour

Procedure:

1.  Students must work in pairs.  Each should have a worksheet with a picture to ÒsendÓ and an empty grid to ÒreceiveÓ.

2.  Both students need to code their picture.  Each square needs to be assigned a number.  Use a key like this:

0 = no color or white

1 = gray

2 = black

 3.  Students will have to decide if partially filled squares count as a color or not.  They cannot be partially filled.

4.  One student should ÒsendÓ their picture to the other by reading off the numbers they established.  The ÒreceivingÓ student should fill in their grid and try to guess what the picture is.

5.  When one student has finished the other can ÒsendÓ.

6.  See attached worksheets

Scoring Guide: 

1.  Student successfully codes own picture......................................5 pts

2.  Student successfully receives and decodes partners picture..........5 pts

3.  Student correctly answers questions on worksheet......................5 pts

Correct Answers:

1. answers will vary.

2. the translated picture is blocky and not very clear

3. sound waves

4. light or radio waves

5. the picture would be all messed up

Student worksheets:

Directions:

1.  One grid on your paper has a picture on it.  Assign a number to each square on the grid.  Use this code:

            0 = white or no color

            1 = gray

            2 = black

2.  Read your numbers to your partner who will fill in the empty grid on the bottom of their paper. They will guess what the picture is of.

3.  Reverse the process and have your partner read you their numbers.

4.  Answer the questions when you are finished.

Questions: 

1.  Were you able to guess what the picture was that was sent to you?

2.  How was the translated picture different from the real one?

3.  You sent the picture to your partner using what type of waves?

4.  Are pictures sent through space on these same waves?

5.  What would happen if you used a different size grid than the sender?  (with more rows or columns?)