EVALUATE/COMMUNICATE

continued

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• What did you learn about satellites?

• What did you learn about low-Earth orbit?

• How can
we insulate a satellite to protect it from extreme temperatures in low-Earth orbit?

• What do you know ab
out the job of an aerospace engineer? A materials scientist? A computer

programmer?

• What questions do you still have?

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

• If students have access to and experience working with single-board computers, such as Arduino®

or Raspberry Pi®, teams can be challenged to create their own temperature sensor that can be

placed inside the prototype during testing.

• If students have access to a 3-D printer, challenge teams to design and print a CubeSat frame.

• Have students research the different types of satellites and how gr
oups of small satellites can work

together to replace single, larger satellites

FACILITATION QUESTIONS:

• What materials did your team use? Why did you choose those materials?

• What is the mass of your final prototype?

• What are the dimensions of your final prototype?

• How w
ell did your design meet the criteria for cold temperatures?

• How w
ell did your design meet the criteria for warm temperatures?

• Where do you think thermal energy moved in or out of the prototype?

• What could be improved or done differently?

REFLECT:

• Facilitate student reflection on the science concepts applied to complete the design challenge.

• Ask questions about related science and STEM careers to help students make career connections.