"Going in Circles"

BACKGROUND PAGE

Assumed background: Before the lesson begins, it is assumed that:

- students have a general understanding of latitude and longitude
http://jwocky.gsfc.nasa.gov/latlon.html (TOMS website- NASA)
http://www.geosys.com/cgi-bin/genobject/mapskills_latlong/tigdd27 (GEOsystems)
- students have a general understanding of time zones
http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/academy/rocket_sci/clocks/time-gmt.html (NASA)
- students (or teachers) have a general understanding of how to access a specific webpage

Introduction & Background:
Satellites- Many people think of Science when they think about the satellites. However, satellites can be used for everyday communications (phone, satellite TV, even parts of the internet.) Regardless, scientists find satellites useful for studying the Earth as a whole. You can investigate clouds, moisture, temperature, ozone, sea life, etc.
This lesson- The purpose of this lesson is to show students why satellites are useful, and how many there are. It may be more appropriate for older students, and if you students need more of a challenge, the TEACHER COPY has some suggested activities. There are 4 sections to this activity. Each section in this activity is designed to be independent of the other sections. Therefore, feel free to remove any section as a whole. Most of the information students are required to use can be accessed within minutes on the internet.
How to assess this lesson- At the end of the ACTIVITY SHEET, there is a PROJECT where students have to select 3 satellites, and answer some basic questions about them. Although the project does not assess all the objectives stated earlier, it does test the students ability to search for the web information.
The lesson options- This activity contains a worksheet that can be printed and copied to students (ACTIVITY SHEET). This activity sheet can be used by a student, or a group of students at a computer, or it can be completed as the teacher accesses the computer information for the class. If desired, a student can complete the activity directly on the computer while copying their answers on to a blank answer sheet (WEB SHEET).

Procedure:
Step 1- Please read over the TEACHER COPY and prepare your classroom for the activity.
Step 2- Simply print out the ACTIVITY SHEET (or WEB ANSWER SHEET) and hand it out to your class. Make sure your students have the required background before beginning the activity.

Coding:
Maryland Core Learning Goals (Science):
National Standards (Science): A3,4,5 ; B3 ; E1 ; F5
National Standards (Geography): 1
National Standards (Mathematics): 6.2

Investigation Discussion and Questions: Simply refer to and print your TEACHER COPY

Feedback: Please email: Matthew_Binder@mail.hempfield.k12.pa.us

Credits: Developed by Matthew Binder, 8th grade Earth Science- Centerville Middle School, Hempfield School District (Landisville, PA)

Advised by Dr. Paul Newman