Radio signals transmitted to Pluto take five hours to reach their destination! In these two activities, young scientists explore data communication in space. In activity one, pupils learn how data is gathered and sent back to Earth. Activity two analyzes how tremendous amounts of data can be compressed, sent back to Earth, and still be translatable and accurate. 

Concepts

communication technology, space exploration, data collection

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

science

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Explore and compare the resolution of learners' phone cameras; discuss how this data is transmitted between phones and computers

Classroom Considerations

• Duration of activity may take 1.5 - 3 hours depending upon the level of learners and length/depth of discussions
• Assumes pupils have heard of computer "bits" 
• Part three in a series of three

• This resource is only available on an unencrypted HTTP website.It should be fine for general use, but don’t use it to share any personally identifiable information

Pros

• Activity includes worksheets, answer keys, extensive background information, teacher tips, and additional resources/activities
• Only materials needed are some copies of worksheets, a book, a stopwatch, and potentially a computer, making prep work simple

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.9-10.3