Evaluating the Efforts to Maintain and Repair the Hubble Space Telescope
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THE NEW YORK TIMES LEARNING NETWORK LESSON PLAN
URL:http://www.nytimes.com/learning/
Developed in Partnership with
The Bank Street College of Education in New York City
TODAY'S LESSON PLAN:
HUBBLE, HUBBLE TOIL AND TROUBLE: Evaluating the Efforts to Maintain and Repair the Hubble Space Telescope
BASED ON THE ARTICLE:
Atlantis Mission Offers One Last Lifeline to Hubble, By DENNIS OVERBYE,May 12, 2009
URL: http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20090512...
AUTHOR(S):
Catherine Hutchings, The New York Times Learning Network
GRADES:
6-8
9-12
SUBJECTS:
Science
Technology
OVERVIEW OF LESSON PLAN:
In this lesson, students simulate and discuss the current mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope and then use one of its images to create their own "cosmic postcards."
SUGGESTED TIME ALLOWANCE:
1-2 class periods
ACTIVITIES / PROCEDURES:
1. WARM-UP/DO-NOW:
[NOTE TO TEACHERS: The following activity has been created to help students imagine all that has been involved to secure the success of the Hubble Space Telescope. To provide some background knowledge, show The New York Times Audio Slide Show "Hubble's History".
The tasks were designed to include materials that are inexpensive and easy to find or borrow. Depending on the materials available to you, you may wish to modify the tasks. For example, if you have extra screws available, consider having students replace battery-compartment screws as well.]
Prior to class, gather the following materials:
-battery-operated children's toys that have battery compartments secured by screws (one per group)
-batteries of various sizes (enough for every group to change the batteries in their toy)
-a variety of screwdrivers (sizes, types)
-new "components" to be added onto the toy: (lego blocks, pipe cleaners or twist ties, rubber bands)
-pairs of gloves or mittens to represent "space suits" (2 pairs per group)
-plastic bags (optional)
Place all materials on a desk or table at the front of the classroom and allow students to observe them briefly.
Divide students into large or small groups and distribute the student handout "Fix-It Mission". Read the task and rules aloud with students and answer any questions.
Distribute one toy to each group. Tell groups they will have ten minutes to plan their mission and gather materials. Have students use the handout questions as a guide. After ten minutes, tell groups it is time for "take-off." You may wish to create a mock countdown and have students pretend they are traveling to the Hubble Space Telescope.
When groups are ready, give students five minutes to complete the 3 tasks to repair their toy. Use a timer or clock to record start and stop times for students to work. After five minutes, have students stop working and discuss how they did. Ask: did you successfully complete all tasks? Why or why not? What problems, if any, did you encounter? How would you prepare differently given more time?
Then show The New York Times Audio Slide Show "The Hubble Repairman". Have students discuss the similarities and differences between the in-class activity and the actual repair mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. Discussion questions might include:
-What is planned for the Hubble Space Telescope?
-How have astronauts prepared for this repair mission?
-Based on your experience, what is the most challenging part of the repairman's job?
-Why do astronomers and the space program want to repair the telescope?
-Do you think the astronauts will be able to successfully complete all repairs?
-Does this mission seem important to you and why or why not? What intrigues you about this mission or about space exploration in general?
-What space mission would you like to plan if possible and why?
Explain that students will be reading an article to learn more about the Hubble Space Telescope and the final trip to repair it.
2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS:
As a class, read and discuss the article " Atlantis Mission Offers One Last Lifeline to Hubble" focusing on the following questions:
[NOTE: If computers are available in the classroom, consider providing students access to the accompanying interactive graphic "A Final Visit"]
a. What is the Hubble Space Telescope?
b. How have astronauts improved it over the years?
c. What will the Atlantis crew be doing to the telescope in this mission?
d. What has the Hubble given us since 1990? Why does one NASA scientist call it the most successful scientific instrument ever built"?
3. ACTIVITY:
The Hubble Telescope is perhaps most famously known for its "cosmic postcards," the amazing and beautiful images of space it has captured. Show students some of these images as seen in The New York Times Slide Show "Snapshots From Hubble". As students view the slide show, have them keep track of terminology and words which are unfamiliar to them. Terms might include galaxy, ultraviolet light, light-years, supernova, nebula, red dwarf or white dwarf. As necessary, briefly define terms and review unfamiliar concepts with students.
Individually, in pairs or in small groups, students make a postcard featuring one Hubble image of their choice. Have groups use the handout "Cosmic Postcards" to guide their research on and investigation of an image.
Then, they might use the Learning Network handout "Postcards" as a template. Students will paste an image onto their postcards and write a short, informational "blurb" on the back. Blurbs should identify the objects in the image, discuss location, describe how the photograph was taken, discuss what astronomers learned from the image and/or explain its significance.
The "Postcards" template is "writable" making it possible for students to complete the activity using computer technology. You may wish to demonstrate the process to students using technology such as a Smart Board. [NOTE: If you are having difficulty cutting and pasting an online image into the "Postcards" pdf, try this: Save the desired image as a file and then open it using the "Create PDF" button in your version of Adobe. This will open the desired image in another Adobe window. Use the toolbar to "Select Image," then right-click and choose "Copy Image to Clipboard." Using the Window tab, go to the "Postcards" file. Click on the "Review and Comment" button and open the "Advanced Commenting Toolbar." Select "Paste Clipboard Image" and drag the mouse to paste the image in the desired location.]
If technology is not available, materials may be printed and pasted together by hand.
4. FOR HOMEWORK OR FUTURE CLASSES:
For homework or in future classes, have students monitor The New York Times Web page "Space and Cosmos" and other sources, such as Hubblesite, for updates on the progress of Atlantis' 11-day repair mission. Daily news updates on Hubble's SM4 (Servicing Mission 4) are also available on Amazing-Space. Create a bulletin board for students to post articles and images detailing the successes and/or failures of the mission as it unfolds.
At completion of the mission, have students write a message to the entire crew or one of the mission astronauts on their postcards. Postcard messages might offer congratulations, ask questions about specific problems encountered or express students' thoughts, opinions or hopes about the mission or the future of the Hubble Telescope. Students might also write their ideas about the image, such as why they chose it or what it symbolizes to them.
As a final activity, the class might create a "Final Tribute to the Hubble" Postcard Art Exhibit by framing and displaying their completed postcards around the class or the school.
Related Times Resources:
THE NEW YORK TIMES LEARNING NETWORK LESSON PLAN
URL:http://www.nytimes.com/learning/
Developed in Partnership with
The Bank Street College of Education in New York City
TODAY'S LESSON PLAN:
HUBBLE, HUBBLE TOIL AND TROUBLE: Evaluating the Efforts to Maintain and Repair the Hubble Space Telescope
BASED ON THE ARTICLE:
Atlantis Mission Offers One Last Lifeline to Hubble, By DENNIS OVERBYE,May 12, 2009
URL: http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20090512...
AUTHOR(S):
Catherine Hutchings, The New York Times Learning Network
GRADES:
6-8
9-12
SUBJECTS:
Science
Technology
OVERVIEW OF LESSON PLAN:
In this lesson, students simulate and discuss the current mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope and then use one of its images to create their own "cosmic postcards."
SUGGESTED TIME ALLOWANCE:
1-2 class periods
ACTIVITIES / PROCEDURES:
1. WARM-UP/DO-NOW:
[NOTE TO TEACHERS: The following activity has been created to help students imagine all that has been involved to secure the success of the Hubble Space Telescope. To provide some background knowledge, show The New York Times Audio Slide Show "Hubble's History".
The tasks were designed to include materials that are inexpensive and easy to find or borrow. Depending on the materials available to you, you may wish to modify the tasks. For example, if you have extra screws available, consider having students replace battery-compartment screws as well.]
Prior to class, gather the following materials:
-battery-operated children's toys that have battery compartments secured by screws (one per group)
-batteries of various sizes (enough for every group to change the batteries in their toy)
-a variety of screwdrivers (sizes, types)
-new "components" to be added onto the toy: (lego blocks, pipe cleaners or twist ties, rubber bands)
-pairs of gloves or mittens to represent "space suits" (2 pairs per group)
-plastic bags (optional)
Place all materials on a desk or table at the front of the classroom and allow students to observe them briefly.
Divide students into large or small groups and distribute the student handout "Fix-It Mission". Read the task and rules aloud with students and answer any questions.
Distribute one toy to each group. Tell groups they will have ten minutes to plan their mission and gather materials. Have students use the handout questions as a guide. After ten minutes, tell groups it is time for "take-off." You may wish to create a mock countdown and have students pretend they are traveling to the Hubble Space Telescope.
When groups are ready, give students five minutes to complete the 3 tasks to repair their toy. Use a timer or clock to record start and stop times for students to work. After five minutes, have students stop working and discuss how they did. Ask: did you successfully complete all tasks? Why or why not? What problems, if any, did you encounter? How would you prepare differently given more time?
Then show The New York Times Audio Slide Show "The Hubble Repairman". Have students discuss the similarities and differences between the in-class activity and the actual repair mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. Discussion questions might include:
-What is planned for the Hubble Space Telescope?
-How have astronauts prepared for this repair mission?
-Based on your experience, what is the most challenging part of the repairman's job?
-Why do astronomers and the space program want to repair the telescope?
-Do you think the astronauts will be able to successfully complete all repairs?
-Does this mission seem important to you and why or why not? What intrigues you about this mission or about space exploration in general?
-What space mission would you like to plan if possible and why?
Explain that students will be reading an article to learn more about the Hubble Space Telescope and the final trip to repair it.
2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS:
As a class, read and discuss the article " Atlantis Mission Offers One Last Lifeline to Hubble" focusing on the following questions:
[NOTE: If computers are available in the classroom, consider providing students access to the accompanying interactive graphic "A Final Visit"]
a. What is the Hubble Space Telescope?
b. How have astronauts improved it over the years?
c. What will the Atlantis crew be doing to the telescope in this mission?
d. What has the Hubble given us since 1990? Why does one NASA scientist call it the most successful scientific instrument ever built"?
3. ACTIVITY:
The Hubble Telescope is perhaps most famously known for its "cosmic postcards," the amazing and beautiful images of space it has captured. Show students some of these images as seen in The New York Times Slide Show "Snapshots From Hubble". As students view the slide show, have them keep track of terminology and words which are unfamiliar to them. Terms might include galaxy, ultraviolet light, light-years, supernova, nebula, red dwarf or white dwarf. As necessary, briefly define terms and review unfamiliar concepts with students.
Individually, in pairs or in small groups, students make a postcard featuring one Hubble image of their choice. Have groups use the handout "Cosmic Postcards" to guide their research on and investigation of an image.
Then, they might use the Learning Network handout "Postcards" as a template. Students will paste an image onto their postcards and write a short, informational "blurb" on the back. Blurbs should identify the objects in the image, discuss location, describe how the photograph was taken, discuss what astronomers learned from the image and/or explain its significance.
The "Postcards" template is "writable" making it possible for students to complete the activity using computer technology. You may wish to demonstrate the process to students using technology such as a Smart Board. [NOTE: If you are having difficulty cutting and pasting an online image into the "Postcards" pdf, try this: Save the desired image as a file and then open it using the "Create PDF" button in your version of Adobe. This will open the desired image in another Adobe window. Use the toolbar to "Select Image," then right-click and choose "Copy Image to Clipboard." Using the Window tab, go to the "Postcards" file. Click on the "Review and Comment" button and open the "Advanced Commenting Toolbar." Select "Paste Clipboard Image" and drag the mouse to paste the image in the desired location.]
If technology is not available, materials may be printed and pasted together by hand.
4. FOR HOMEWORK OR FUTURE CLASSES:
For homework or in future classes, have students monitor The New York Times Web page "Space and Cosmos" and other sources, such as Hubblesite, for updates on the progress of Atlantis' 11-day repair mission. Daily news updates on Hubble's SM4 (Servicing Mission 4) are also available on Amazing-Space. Create a bulletin board for students to post articles and images detailing the successes and/or failures of the mission as it unfolds.
At completion of the mission, have students write a message to the entire crew or one of the mission astronauts on their postcards. Postcard messages might offer congratulations, ask questions about specific problems encountered or express students' thoughts, opinions or hopes about the mission or the future of the Hubble Telescope. Students might also write their ideas about the image, such as why they chose it or what it symbolizes to them.
As a final activity, the class might create a "Final Tribute to the Hubble" Postcard Art Exhibit by framing and displaying their completed postcards around the class or the school.
Related Times Resources:
- ADDITIONAL TIMES ARTICLES AND MULTIMEDIA: Audio Slide Show: Hubble's History
Interactive Graphic: A Final Visit
Interactive Feature: Meet the Crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis
Article: Now in Sight: Far-off Planets
Article: A Telescope to the Past as Galileo Visits U.S.
Article: The Struggle to Measure Cosmic Expansion
- LEARNING NETWORK RESOURCES: Lesson Plan Unit: Space
Lesson Plan: A Distant View
Exploring the Principles of Telescope Optics
Lesson Plan: Scoping Out Space
Evaluating Existing and Proposed Telescope Projects
Lesson Plan: Eye in the Sky
Exploring the Hubble Space Telescope: A Web Scavenger Hunt
Crossword: Space Exploration
Crossword: Stargazing
- ARCHIVAL TIMES MATERIALS: Shuttle Soars 381 Miles High, With Telescope and a Dream
Article about the launch of the Hubble, from April 25, 1990
Hubble Jeopardy
Article from November 28, 1993
- TIMES TOPICS: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Hubble Space Telescope
- OTHER RESOURCES: Hubblesite
Comprehensive site dedicated to the Hubble Space Telescope
NASA's International Year of Astronomy 2009 Web page
Celebrating the 400th anniversary of Galileo's use of a telescope to view the night sky
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope
History, programs and news on the Hubble Telescope
NASA Interactive Feature: "STS-125 Final Shuttle Mission to the Hub...
Amazing Space
Hubblesite's kid-friendly sister site
News, videos, fun facts and games for students and educators
Space.com: Hubble Space Telescope
History, articles, images and multimedia features on the Hubble Telescope
Space Telescope Science Institute
Home of programs and public outreach activities for the Hubble Space Telescope
*Extensions:
Create a model of the Hubble Telescope with inexpensive parts from the hardware store and craft stores. Directions are available on Hubblesite.
INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS:
Fine Arts Use available technology to make your own "space images" or draw original designs. Then create a picture book for younger children about space.
Language Arts Read about John D. Barrow's book "COSMIC IMAGERY: Key Images in the History of Science" in The New York Times article "Far Out". Check the book out from a local library to read some of his image-inspired short stories. Then write your own poem, song, story or greeting card inspired by a Hubble image.
ADDITIONAL RELATED ARTICLES:
NATIONAL CONTENT STANDARDS:
Grades 6-12
Science Standard 3- Understands the composition and structure of the universe and the Earth's place in it
Science Standard 11- Understands the nature of scientific knowledge
Science Standard 13- Understands the scientific enterprise
Technology Standard 3- Understands the relationships among science, technology, society, and the individual
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