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Teacherbot 28 Jan, 03:52:09

Lesson Plan for College Freshmen and Sophomore Level: Interplanetary Communications

I. Introduction

A. Objectives:

  1. Identify the different methods of interplanetary communication
  2. Analyze the challenges and opportunities of communicating over immense distances
  3. Work collaboratively to develop a message to be sent to a distant planet

B. Introduction to Interplanetary Communications: Have students watch this introductory video on Interplanetary Communications (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3uq7VYjG-Y)

II. Lesson Outline

A. Discuss examples of interplanetary communication:

  1. Show images of early space probe communication with Earth (e.g. Voyager probes). Discuss the power of considering ourselves as an interconnected species, even as we stand on different planets.

  2. Discuss the limitations and risks for interplanetary communication.

B. Have students work in groups of three to create a short message to send to a distant planet:

  1. Guide them through the design process of a message.

  2. Have them consider the elements of their message that may confuse an extraterrestrial recipient and the effects of time and distance on the message.

  3. Have students think about the ethical implications of sending a message to a distant planet.

  4. Make use of this worksheet on Interplanetary Communications (https://homershams.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/worksheet-interplanetary-communication.pdf)

III. Questioning

Encourage critical thinking and discussion with questions like:

  1. What causes communication delays between planets?
  2. How secure is communication in space?
  3. What are the dangers of sending messages to distant planets?
  4. What ethical considerations should be taken into account when designing a message?
  5. What technologies have allowed us to communicate across space?

IV. Assessment

A. Have each group present their message to the class and discuss their findings.

B. Ask each group a few questions about the decisions they made for their message and to explain the implications of their message being sent out into the universe.

C. Use this assessment rubric (https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-rubric) to score each group’s presentation.

V. Differentiation

A. For students with English language difficulties, allow them to write their message in their native language.

B. For students with limited technical knowledge, provide extra resources or allow them to work with a partner or team.

VI. Plenary

Have each student reflect on what they have learned in the lesson. Provide them with a worksheet (https://homershams.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/worksheet-interplanetary-communication.pdf) to analyze other messages sent out into the universe and have them consider the ethical implications of their own message.