Classroom Activities
Be Part of a Remote Sensing Satellite
Objective: This activity will allow students to pretend they are
part of a remote sensing satellite. The purpose is to help them
understand why sensors of different wavelengths can only see certain
colors and why they can only produce certain colors on photos.
Prior to this activity, there should be an introduction to remote
sensing, color, and light. Discuss the basic parts of a remote
sensing satellite, such as the platform, the sensors, and the
filters. Students should have some basic understanding of the
colorwheel, too. It would be a good idea to show them some examples
of different types of remotely sensed images (true color,
infrared, etc.). This will let them see that color can vary
from image to image. These images will also help students to
understand the perspective of viewing the Earth from above.
Materials:
- one set of "glasses" for each student (red, blue, or green, depending on
which group they are in; see directions below)
- red, blue, and green pipe cleaners (enough to distribute several to each student)
- 10-15 sheets of green, blue, and red acetate
(or overhead projector sheets)
Prior to Activity
- Directions for making "glasses":
- 1. Cut out pieces of the acetate large enough to cover the students' eyes.
- 2. Give each student a different color of the acetate to use as
lenses in the "glasses."
- 3. Spread out the pipe cleaners on a grassy area outside; they should not
be hidden.
Procedure
- 1. Divide the students into three equal groups; one group
for red "glasses," one for blue, and one for green.
- 2. Pass out the "glasses" before going outside. Be sure
the students cover their eyes with the colored "glasses" before
they near the area where the pipe cleaners are located.
- 3. Explain the situation and the rules to the students.
- a. The students will pretend they are the sensors of satellites and, as
satellites do, they will search for things that they can see through
their colored "glasses."
- b. Students can only look through their "glasses" to find the
pipe cleaners.
- c. When a student sees a pipe cleaner, he or she will pick it up.
- d. When the time limit (10-15 minutes) is reached, have the students
look to see what everyone picked up. (You could have the students trade
colors to see what happens when looking through different colored "glasses.")
- e. Have a discussion about why students were only able to see
certain colors through their "glasses."
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Questions for Discussion
Q: What is remote sensing?
A: Remote sensing is the science
and art of obtaining information about an object, area, or
phenomenon through the analysis of data acquired by a device that
is not in contact with the object, area, or phenomenon under investigation.
It is a process of obtaining information without coming into
direct contact with the object being observed.
Q: Why use remote sensing for obtaining information
about areas or objects?
A: Remote sensing permits researchers to "read" the Earth.
The US space program stresses that the fundamental goal of remote sensing
is to advance scientific knowledge of the Earth and its environment
so as to understand and eventually predict both natural and
human-induced global change and, thus, provide continuing benefits
to humanity.
Q: What types of satellites are used for remote sensing of the Earth?
A: There are many types of satellites used for remote sensing of the Earth.
The three major types are meteorological, oceanographic, and terrestrial satellites.
Meteorological satellites are used to obtain information about the Earth's weather.
The data obtained from these satellites are entered into a computer to create a
forecast model.
Oceanographic satellites obtain data about the Earth's oceans and other water
bodies to help us understand the oceanic system of tides, water temperatures, etc.
The usefulness of these satellites is demonstrated in the predictions that
were made for this year's climatic phenomenon known as El Niño.
Terrestrial satellites obtain data about the Earth's land surface.
The range of the electromagnetic spectrum allows researchers
to see the Earth from a different perspective.
These data are useful in predicting crop yields for agriculture
and aiding cartographers in map making. The extent of the use of these satellite
systems is limitless.
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Quiz
Click here
for a Remote Sensing in History quiz.
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Remote Sensing in History teacher's guide.
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Just the Facts
Aerial photography and satellites are used for military and
commercial applications.
Remote sensing has evolved greatly since the days of Galileo.
The transition from analog data to digital data has created an
explosion in the amount of information obtained from remote sensing platforms.
Satellites were first used during the Cold War. Today they
are used by many disciplines, from geography to agronomy. There is a
great demand for the commercial application of this once classified data source.
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Relevant Links
to Web Sites and Additional Resources
The Observatorium has a collection of remote sensing
tutorials in Educator's Resources. They are filled with short,
easy-to-understand articles on topics ranging from digital imaging
to satellite orbits.
http://observe.ivv.nasa.gov/nasa/education/reference/main.html
Exploring the Environment (ETE)
features interdisciplinary modules that use satellite imagery as a
tool, problem-based learning as methodology, and the World Wide
Web as a means of delivery. It includes teacher's pages and activities
and modules to use in the classroom.
http://www.cotf.edu/ete
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Vocabulary
Galileo: (1564-1642) Italian astronomer and physicist.
Through his spyglass, Galileo made careful observations and measurements
of the universe. His most stunning (and controversial!) discovery
was of satellites orbiting Jupiter, dashing the concept of
an Earth-centered universe with all objects revolving around the
Earth.
photography: the process of producing images on a
sensitized surface by the action of light or other radiant energy.
photo interpretation: the process of examining aerial
photographs and images for the purpose of identifying objects
and judging their significance.
photoreconnaissance: a survey of a region performed with an aerial
photography platform (e.g., balloon, pigeon, airplane).
reconnaissance: a survey of a region for the purpose of
ascertaining the locations of objects.
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For Fun
Just for fun, play our
Remote Sensing in History Wordsearch game.
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