Canadian Space Agency
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Table of Contents
Distance and Tele-Learning Program
Space Exploration
- A Universe To Discover
- Challenges Of Mars Exploration
- Getting To Know Mars
- Using Science Fiction To Teach
Science Facts - Weather On Mars
- Challenges Of Launching, Landing And Traveling To Mars
- Exploring The Red Planet: Tools, Technologies And Scientific Achievements
- Vastness Of Space
Grades 4-6
A Universe To Discover
Take an imaginary voyage with your students and our astronomer onboard a photon and discover the different components of the solar system including the sun, moon, planets, and asteroids. Students will have the opportunity to work collaboratively using star maps and sky charts to reproduce and identify constellations in the night sky.
Getting To Know Mars
Humankind has long sought to understand the mysteries of the Red Planet. Join one of the CSA's leading planetary research scientists and discover this fascinating planet! Come and explore the physical and geographical features of Planet Mars. Compare how Mars' size, time, and climate differ from that of Earth. Take a brief look at the technologies that have allowed humans to explore Mars through the years and learn about the life support systems required to send a future human mission to Mars. The session will close with students brainstorming and planning how humans can meet their needs during a long-term mission to Mars.
The Challenges Of Mars Exploration
From the handheld telescopes of the Ancient Greeks and the Viking orbiters to the Hubble Space Telescope and the Spirit and Opportunity rovers of today, students will learn how technological and scientific advances throughout history have allowed humankind to explore the Red Planet.
Divided into groups, students will engage in an out-of-this-world problem-solving simulation as they role-play being mission controllers, communication links, sensors and rovers on Mars. In Mission Operations, the mission controllers will control the student rover operations on a "Martian" terrain using pre-defined commands as the only means of communication. Students will learn about the constraints faced by mission controllers in communicating with rovers on Mars.
Using Science Fiction To Teach Science Facts
Current science fiction movies inspire the imagination of millions with extraordinary scenes of space. Have you ever wondered how much of what we see is scientifically accurate? Students will gain the knowledge and skills to decipher science from science fiction by delving into topics such as the space environment, artificial gravity and earth observation satellites as they are depicted in movies. While watching a series of short, current movie clips, they will analyze, critique and correct the errors in Hollywood's depictions of the space.
Weather On Mars
When planning a future human exploration mission to Mars, weather and climate are key factors in determining human survival strategies and the location and timing of spacecraft landing. With the guidance of a CSA planetary research scientist, students will explore concepts such as temperature, pressure and atmosphere, while learning about the exciting role that Canada is playing to investigate weather on Mars during the Phoenix lander mission. In a mission simulation, your students will assume the role of the first crewed mission to Mars who prior to their trip are called upon to investigate Martian surface conditions by reproducing the soil erosion phenomena of wind and liquid CO2 found on the Martian landscape.
Grades 7 to 9
Challenges Of Launching, Landing And Traveling To Mars
Interplanetary travel requires considerable planning and problem-solving. Scientists and engineers manage technological, communication and life support challenges inherent in launching and landing spacecraft and crew safely. When designing technology for Mars exploration, engineers must build hardware that can withstand intense radiation, extreme temperatures and intense vibrations during launch. The workshop will also cover the orbital mechanics required to travel to Mars, explore life support systems and investigate interplanetary communication challenges in connecting with rovers. The workshop will conclude with a hands-on activity to plan a virtual mission to the Red Planet.
Exploring The Red Planet: Tools, Technologies And Scientific Achievements
From the handheld telescopes of the Ancient Greeks and the Viking orbiters to the Hubble Space Telescope and the Spirit and Opportunity rovers of today, students will learn how technological and scientific advances throughout history have allowed humankind to explore the Red Planet. Students will learn how spectroscopy plays a role in helping humans discover Mars.
Divided into groups, students will engage in an out-of-this-world problem-solving simulation as they role-play being mission controllers, communication links, sensors and rovers on Mars. In Mission Operations, the mission controllers will use higher-order thinking skills to control the student rover operations on a "Martian" terrain using a series of pre-defined and complex commands as the only means of communication. Students will learn about the constraints faced by mission controllers in communicating with rovers on Mars. The vocabulary and depth of concepts in this workshop are suitable for an intermediate level audience.
Vastness Of Space
Take an imaginary voyage with your students and our astronomer onboard a photon to discover the major components of our universe including stars, planets, nebula, supernovas and quasars, to name a few. Then join in the discussion as we describe theories on the formation of the universe and take a brief look at the future demise of our Sun. The hands-on segment will focus on the expansion of our universe and Hubble Law.
Grades 10 to 12
Critical Thinking At A Critical Time
Canada's mission controllers are among the best problem solvers in the space business. If a joint on the Canadarm2 malfunctions these men and women are called upon to quickly and effectively identify the problem and propose a solution. With the guidance of a CSA mission controller, students will learn the five-step problem-solving methodology known as fault tree analysis. From identifying the correct problem, to collecting data and proposing a solution, students will gain the problem-solving skills required for the hands-on segment of the workshop. Divided in groups, students will role-play being a team of mission controllers who are confronted with a problem on Canada's Mobile Servicing System. Their task will be to use fault tree analysis as well as the background information provided in the workshop to identify and solve the problem.
History Of Canada In Space
Did you know that Canada was the third country in space after the former USSR and the United States? In 1962, Canada launched the Alouette-1 satellite to study the ionosphere that is responsible for the aurora borealis in the Canadian North. Since then, Canada has been a world leader in space technologies and satellite communications. This workshop provides the world-event context for Canadian space achievements in each era, beginning in the 1950s to today. Students will learn about Canada's role in Sputnik, and the beginning of the Arrow program. The workshop will also cover the Anik series of satellites, the birth of the Canadian Space Agency and current space technologies, to name just a few. This workshop is offered as a presentation only.
Orbits For Planetary Missions
Have you ever wondered how scientists determine the precise time that a space vehicle must be launched in order to arrive on another planet by a target date? The answer lies in understanding orbital mechanics. With the guidance of one of CSA's planetary research scientists, students will discover how orbital mechanics are exploited for purposes ranging from scientific research in telecommunications to planetary exploration. After defining orbits and understanding their purpose, students will learn about Kepler's laws of motion, explore the three elements of an orbit, and become aware of interplanetary orbits. During the hands-on segment, students will assume the role of amateur astronomers who must determine, by calculating Kepler's law of areas, whether the orbit of a wandering asteroid will intersect Earth's orbit and collide.
