Unit Overview

Youth use the Engineering Design Process to design remote sensing devices that can help scientists learn about a newly discovered moon.

  • Grades 6–8
  • Setting: Out of school
  • Science connection: Information transfer
  • 8 activities
  • 50–60 Minutes per activity

Standards alignment

We’ve developed each EiE unit with careful attention to educational standards in both science and technology/engineering. View Standards Alignments.

Unit Map

Youth are introduced to the Engineering Design Process as they work together to engineer a tower to support a model antenna.

Youth match technologies based on the problem they solve and imagine ways to improve the newer version.

Youth use mirrors to change the way light travels in order to see hidden objects.

Youth explore how manipulating light and color can help them interpret information from a distance that would otherwise be difficult to see.

Youth engineer a technology that models LiDAR to gather topographical information about the features of a surface.

Youth work in groups to create remote sensing technologies that can collect data about the Mystery Moon.

Youth will improve their remote sensing devices and use them to take a final reading from two locations on the Mystery Moon.

Youth communicate their knowledge of remote sensing devices and the information they gathered about the Mystery Moon at the Engineering Showcase.

Videos

Special Report Video

Introduces the field of remote sensing through interviews with NASA engineer Tracy Drain and NASA scientist Ingrid Daubar. Use throughout the unit. (9:52)

What's Included?

  • Educator Guide (PDF)
  • Engineering Journal (PDF)
  • Special Report Video (YouTube)
  • Print Materials (PDF)