From Earth to Venus – Lesson 6: ROV-ing for Detailed Data
In this lesson: First, students will think about what kinds of data scientists need before exploring a new place. Next, they will learn about the DAVINCI probe and compare its scientific instruments with the sensors available on LEGO SPIKE robots. Then, they will build and program a robot with a color sensor to practice planning their rover’s path for data collection. Finally, students will program their robot to travel through the Earth-to-Venus robot course, collecting RGB data and comparing it to the provided rock emissivity key.
Lesson level question: How can we use rovers and instrumentation to learn about places that we can’t visit?
Engage
Students will identify what information they would need before traveling to a new place. Next, they will decide if that list needs to change if the trip is to somewhere they can’t actually go to, like Venus.
Explore
Students will learn more about the DAVINCI probe and its planned descent to the surface of Venus. Next, they will compare the DAVINCI instrumentation to the sensors available on their robot.
Explain
Students will begin to write code for their robot and review the Earth to Venus course.
Elaborate
Students will build the Earth to Venus robot course. Then, students will plan a path for their robot, program the robot, and iterate on that program.
Evaluate
Students will document their work and learning for this lesson by meeting the deliverables outlined in MO-6.
Extend (optional)
Students will investigate NASA careers related to the work of this lesson.
Standards Alignment
Each lesson includes standards alignment information for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Many lessons also include information on alignment opportunities for: CCSS Mathematics, CCSS English, WA State Learning Standards in Computer Science, WA State Standards in Social Emotional Learning.
In these documents, you will find an alignment summary, followed by details for each lesson: