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Spotlite Design Challenge:
Orbiting Observers
Developed in Collaboration with the Challenger Center
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Register your learner production teams to receive a Spotlite Design Challenge
starter kit with certificates and badges.
Identify the problem: As Satellite Operations Engineers, your challenge is to gather and share evidence to confront a misconception about satellites orbiting Earth. You will create a video that captures your questions and findings.
Follow these steps to think and act like scientists as you dig through data and experiment to support the claim that confronts the misconception.
MISCONCEPTION: Satellites hover over parts of Earth because there is no gravity that high up.
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Select the CLAIM to investigate.
- CLAIM 1: Satellites are in constant motion, but sometimes appear stationary relative to a specific location.
- CLAIM 2: Gravity diminishes as you move away from an object, but the force can be felt from great distances.
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Do your own RESEARCH by conducting investigations to gather data and collect evidence to support your claim.
Be sure to film how you set up and run the activities to include as part of your Spotlite video.
- Real World: Centripetal Force
Research:
- Microgravity Around the World
Activities:
SAFETY WARNING
Safety is important anytime you conduct a science investigation. Common sense guidelines should govern all work.
- Keep all workspaces neat and organized.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as closed-toed shoes.
- Follow directions and ask for clarification.
Recent tweets from NASA eClips
