The starting point for all students and all teachers. This series of 3-4 lessons will teach students about the basics of satellites, take them through the process of assembling and using RASCube, showcase some careers in space and finish by reflecting on what they have learnt through a Kahoot game. Along the way students will learn about satellite technology, the importance of satellites and the many career opportunities here in Australia.
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Watch this short video from Edward to quickly understand everything on this page and how the lessons are structured.
Recommended Classes:
- Science
- Design and Technologies
- Digital Technologies
- Any space related classes
Recommended Completed Lessons:
None
Lessons: 3-4
Group Size: 2-5
Additional Tools: Computers, magnets
Throughout these lessons, students assemble RASCube and learn how to use its basic functions. Teachers begin with a presentation on what RASCube is, what CubeSats are and how they are relevant to our daily life. Following this, students assemble their CubeSats by following the Quick Start Guide paper instructions, assembly video (recommended) or class slideshow. During this process, students gain a basic understanding of what makes a CubeSat and what is inside of them.
Once assembled, students wirelessly send CubeSat data to their computers and display data in live graphs, charts and graphics using the web-based User Interface.
After this is a short slideshow presentation from the teacher, where they teach students about Australia’s space industry and the many career opportunities (optional). 'Getting Started' concludes with an optional Kahoot game based on what students have learnt. This may also help promote class discussion.
Part 1: Introduction presentation
At the beginning of the first lesson, the teacher presents a ~20-minute slideshow. This introduces satellites, their functions, some statistics, how they work and finishes by introducing RASCube.
The slideshow is very self-explanatory, with all required information on-screen.
Part 2: RASCube Assembly
This is where students in groups of 2-5 get hands-on with assembling a 'real' satellite. If you want to take things further, make students wear hair nets and disposable gloves (maybe even lab coats!), as if they are in a real clean room.
There are three ways students can be guided through this process. Individual groups can follow the included Quick Start Guide instruction manual or assembly video (recommended). An alternative is for the teacher to put the assembly slideshow on-screen for the class to follow each step together. This should take around 70 minutes, but many vary depending on students' grades and which instruction format they follow.
Part 3: CubeSat Basic Use
Once students have assembled their CubeSat, it is time for them to see its live data on their computer. This short section should only take 20 minutes and is designed to outline RASCube's basic functions.
The slideshow begins by showing how to connect the wireless system, then prompts students to try moving their satellite around in different ways to see each major data type.
Part 4: Careers Slideshow
Under Development
This section links everything students have learnt about satellites to our space industry here in Australia, showing them the possibilities of where they could go in the future. The slideshow is designed to showcase real people, with information on what they do and how they got to where they are.
This is presented by the teacher, with all required information on each slide, as well as some prompts for questions and class discussions. This should take around 20-30 minutes.
Part 5: Final Wrap-Up
This final section is a Kahoot quiz about satellite technology in Australia's space industry, based on what students have learnt. This helps students to store the information they have learnt in their memory. This should take around 20 minutes, depending on how much class discussion is involved.