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3A Technology and Science #2
Technology is essential to science for such purposes as access to outer space and other remote locations, sample collection and treatment, measurement, data collection and storage, computation, and communication of information....
3A Technology and Science #3
Engineers, architects, and others who engage in design and technology use scientific knowledge to solve practical problems....
3B Design and Systems #1
Design usually requires taking constraints into account....
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Make a Mission
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/messenger/mission.htm
Description
The purpose of this activity is to help users understand some of the factors involved when NASA designs a real mission to space. In this interactive, users build a spacecraft in order to explore the planet Mercury—just as the NASA team did when they planned and built the real MESSENGER spacecraft! To begin, users click on the start icon, which takes them to the first screen where they choose both the difficulty level and one of three launch vehicles (Space Shuttle, Atlas 5, and Delta IV) in order to play the activity. Users load the chosen spacecraft with instruments that will enable them to accomplish the six mission goals:
- Take pictures of Mercury's surface
- Measure the chemicals and elements that make up the planet's crust
- Search for magnetic regions of the crust
- Gather details about volcanoes and other tectonic features
- Measure gases in the atmosphere
- Measure energy and charged particles in the planet's magnetic field
While loading the spacecraft, users need to keep in mind the cost of instruments and the amount of space available in the cargo area of the chosen space vehicle!
The easiest level (Space Shuttle) has the most funds and room in the cargo bay while the most difficult level (Delta IV) has the least funds and room in the cargo bay. Once a level has been chosen, users should "roll over" each instrument located at the top of the screen to determine its cost and mission goals (these are highlighted on the right side of the screen) that can be achieved. Users click one piece at a time and drag it into the cargo bay. As this is done, their funds are automatically deducted from the total amount available. At any time, users can click on the "Unload" icon to remove instruments. But beware! All instruments will be removed, not just the most recent one placed in the cargo bay area!
Once users fill their cargo bays with the appropriate equipment to fulfill all the mission goals without exceeding their budget, then the spacecraft is ready for its Mission to Mercury! Next, users can play one of the other levels!
On the first screen, "Choose a Launch," there are two icons ("How To Play" and "Learn More") that users can click on for information. These same icons with the same information are on each screen, with an additional icon ("Home"). If users click on "Home," they will need to click on "Make A Mission" to return to the correct interactive.
Using the Resource
This interactive is a great resource to utilize when teaching students about critical thinking skills and when looking at how technology has helped our society learn more about our world. It is a great tool to use when teaching students about design constraints or about how those who engage in design and technology use scientific knowledge to solve practical problems.
In addition to using this tool in the Science NetLinks Make a Mission lesson, you can use the tool in conjunction with a lesson in which you challenge students to design a machine/or instrument that would allow humans to explore a remote location. In designing the machine/or instrument, students will need to take into account design constraints and use scientific knowledge to solve practical problems.
Related Science NetLinks Resources
Created :06/24/2004 |