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Program
1. Introduce the mission.
Ask students to imagine they are scientists or engineers designing a new space probe to explore our solar system. Have each student choose a planet as a destination for the probe from this list: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, or Neptune. Have them use worksheet content from previous Wildest Weather activities to review the weather factors on that planet, including possible extreme weather. Have students list any considerations they can imagine related to the environment and weather on the planet, including what their probe will look like, what size it will be, and how their probe will travel the distance to reach that destination.
2. Review instruments that measure weather.
Have students review and take notes on the different types of weather instruments they might want to include on their space probes. Ask students to consider how they might need to modify instruments to collect information far from Earth and to withstand the weather on their selected planet. Have students add to their notes.
3. Have students create the design.
Provide each student with multiple sheets of blank drawing paper. Have each student sketch a space probe that lands on or hovers above the chosen planet. Require students to include the following:
- at least two instruments that will measure at least two different weather conditions
- labels of the parts of the probe
4. Conduct peer evaluation.
Explain to students that the engineering and design process involves a great deal of review. Many people give input into the design of a space probe that costs millions of dollars. Display the Space Probe Design Rubric. Tell students that you will use the rubric to evaluate their finished projects. Allow them to ask questions about it. Then explain that first, students will seek feedback on the initial design from their peers in class. Distribute copies of the worksheet Space Probe Design Feedback to each student. Then divide students into small groups of up to four. Have each student partner with the others in their group to give and get feedback on their design for about five to seven minutes. The student whose space probe design is being evaluated should complete the worksheet for their probe. They can fill in ideas from their three reviewers as well as their own ideas based on the feedback.
5. Have students finalize their drawings or build models at home.
Have students use the design feedback from peer evaluation to finalize their drawings. Give students the option of working on their designs at home, if they would like to create a three-dimensional model of their probe.
6. Have students name their space probes and write brief descriptions of their designs.
Have each student create a unique name for their space probe. Then ask students to write a brief paragraph describing their space probe and what it does, including any special features. Help students with their writing, as needed.
7. Have students publish or present their space probes.
Hang students' space probe designs in a central place in the classroom. Ask each student to present their design—using their writing and the drawing or model.
Rubric
Use the Space Probe Design Rubric to grade each student's final product, the drawing or model, plus the design review form.
Subjects & Disciplines
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Earth Science
- Astronomy
- Meteorology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- use peer review to strengthen the design
Teaching Approach
- Learning-for-use
Teaching Methods
- Brainstorming
- Cooperative learning
- Hands-on learning
- Research
Skills Summary
This activity targets the following skills:
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21st Century Student Outcomes
- Learning and Innovation Skills
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Critical Thinking Skills
- Analyzing
- Creating
- Evaluating
Connections to National Standards, Principles, and Practices
NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics
- Geometry (3-5) Standard 4: Use visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modeling to solve problems
National Science Education Standards
- (K-4) Standard E-1: Abilities of technological design
- (K-4) Standard E-2: Understanding about science and technology
- (K-4) Standard G-1: Science as a human endeavor
What You’ll Need
Materials You Provide
- Drawing paper
- Pencils
- Pens
Required Technology
- Internet Access: Optional
- Tech Setup: 1 computer per classroom, Projector
- Plug-Ins: Flash
Physical Space
- Classroom
Grouping
- Large-group instruction
Background Information
Designing or developing any type of scientific instrument is a complex process. Scientists and engineers make many modifications and changes, even during the drawing stages.
Prior Knowledge
- extreme weather conditions
- tools used to measure weather
- the function of space probes
Recommended Prior Activities
Vocabulary
person who plans the building of things, such as structures (construction engineer) or substances (chemical engineer).
rare and severe events in the Earth's atmosphere, such as heat waves or powerful cyclones.
image or impression of an object used to represent the object or system.
the sun and the planets, asteroids, comets, and other bodies that orbit around it.
set of scientific instruments and tools launched from Earth to study the atmosphere and composition of space and other planets, moons, or celestial bodies.
state of the atmosphere, including temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity, precipitation, and cloudiness.
Funder
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Design a Space Probe
Students imagine they are scientists or engineers designing a new space probe to explore our solar system. They choose a planet, review its weather factors, and use a rubric to gather information, make a plan, modify and/or test their plan, and create their design. Students conduct peer evaluation and revise, publish, and present their designs.
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Environmental Conditions in Our Solar System
Students explore the difference between weather and climate, analyze environmental conditions on Earth and other planets, and design a space probe that can withstand extreme weather on other planets.
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-
Design a Space Probe
Students imagine they are scientists or engineers designing a new space probe to explore our solar system. They choose a planet, review its weather factors, and use a rubric to gather information, make a plan, modify and/or test their plan, and create their design. Students conduct peer evaluation and revise, publish, and present their designs.
-
Environmental Conditions in Our Solar System
Students explore the difference between weather and climate, analyze environmental conditions on Earth and other planets, and design a space probe that can withstand extreme weather on other planets.
-