Discovering of new planet

Overview —
In this simulation of space exploration, participants plan and carry out five missions to a “planet” and communicate their discoveries to their family or a friend.

WHAT’S THE POINT?
Scientists plan space exploration missions based on previous scientific knowledge and investigations. Different kinds of investigations answer different kinds of questions.
Space missions are scientific investigations that involve observing and describing planets, asteroids, and moons. Sample return missions allow scientists to collect and analyze specimens.
Space scientists use technology, such as telescopes and robotic spacecraft, to help them make better observations. Robotic spacecraft may fly by or orbit a planet, or they may investigate the surface (landers and sample return missions).
Scientists and engineers often work in teams with different individuals doing different things that contribute to the results. The team members work together to gather and analyze data, and they use that data to plan future investigations.

MATERIALS —
Facility needs:
A (30’ x 6’ or larger) hallway or open space
A stool, pedestal, or stand

For the facilitator:
Craft and food items for constructing one or more “planets,” each constructed from:
1 (4-8”) Styrofoam© ball
1 (1-lb.) container of modeling clay or case of Play-Doh© in a variety of colors, to depict features
A selection of “planet” surface features: cotton balls or gauze, felt, toothpicks
“Life” (optional): whole cloves, or small green leaves from a plant such as thyme
Glue or tape
2–4 markers of different colors
1 measuring tape
1 roll of masking tape
1 permanent marker

For each audience of 10-15 participants:
1 or more “telescopes on Earth,” each constructed from
1 cardboard or rolled paper tube
1 (5” × 5”) blue cellophane square
1 rubber band
1 or more additional cardboard or rolled paper tubes to serve as the “telescope in space”
Optional: 1 set of walkie-talkies for the group to share
5-7 observation sheets, printed on cardstock
5-7 pencils and/or colored pencils
Optional: 5-7 flag stickers
Optional: 5-7 toothpicks for “planting” the flag

Guide the participants as they plan, then carry out, the following five stages of exploration. Team members will take turns being the “observer,” who will look at the “planet” from each marker and report the “planet’s” colors, shapes, and textures to mission control. Teams use this information to decide together on how best to proceed at the next stage of exploration. (Optional: use walkie-talkies to incorporate technology into this process). After each step, each team must have and report out scientific questions in order to continue with a new mission; NASA never sends a mission without science questions they want answered.

Telescope observations:
Observers look through cellophane-covered tubes to study the “planet” as it would appear from Earth-based telescopes.
Observers look through tubes (without cellophane) to study the planet as it would appear from Earth orbit.
Ask the participants to consider how the blue cellophane represents the Earth’s atmosphere and discuss what affect the Earth’s atmosphere would have on our ability to see details on the planet’s surface.

Space probe: Observers view the “front” side (the side they just viewed from a distance) of the “planet.”

Orbiter: Observers walk around the “planet” in a circle (orbit) at a distance of 2 feet.

Lander:
Each team uses their prior observations to decide where they would like to send a lander and what feature(s) they would like to examine.
Observers mark their “landing site” by planting a toothpick, with a flag sticker attached, onto their chosen site. Observers then study only that spot for up to about five minutes.

Optional: Sample return mission:
Each team uses their prior observations to decide what sample they would like to collect.
Observers return to the “Lander” marker to collect one sample (a tiny pinch) from the “planet.” They bring the sample back to mission control for examination in a scientific laboratory.

Have the participants describe what they discovered by exploring the model planet, based on their observations.