Satellites

Contributor: Rebecca Highland. Lesson ID: 10381

You're probably familiar with dish antennas, Sirius Radio, and the moon. What do they all have in common? Satellites! Using videos, online NASA stuff, and cool projects, learn all about satellites!

categories

Earth Science

subject
Science
learning style
Visual
personality style
Lion, Beaver
Grade Level
Intermediate (3-5)
Lesson Type
Quick Query

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio: Image - Button Play
Image - Lession Started Image - Button Start

Planes can't fly this high!

  • So how are images of the earth taken from space?

Photos of the earth are taken from space using satellites.

A satellite is anything object in space that moves around a larger object. A satellite can be a machine such as the one in the picture below, or it can be a moon. The earth's moon is a satellite.

satellite orbiting Earth

Man-made satellites are designed to orbit the planet and send back information. Scientists can use the information to better understand the earth. Meteorologists, or weather scientists, use the information to predict upcoming weather events.

  • How do satellites, especially man-made ones, stay in orbit?

In this lesson, you will explore satellites through the use of interesting videos and online resources, as well as out-of-this-world activities and projects!

First, read What Is a Satellite? from NASA. Print the Graphic Organizer – Circle Map, found in the Downloadable Resources in the right-hand sidebar, to write down facts you learn about satellites.

A circle map is a tool used to organize thoughts about an idea. To learn more about circle maps, watch How Do You Use a Circle Map? from Jaime McGrath:

Image - Video
 

Continue to take notes on your Graphic Organizer – Circle Map as you watch How Do Satellites Get & Stay in Orbit? from SciShow Space:

Image - Video

Return to NASA's website to read about the International Space Station. It is another satellite that orbits the earth. The space station is the biggest man-made object in space!

Many countries worked together to make the International Space Station, and they collaborate on projects to learn more about space as well as send astronauts to live in it. This space station moves very quickly. It orbits the earth sixteen times per day!

Continue taking notes on the Graphic Organizer – Circle Map.

  • What do you think it would be like to live in space?

Continue on to the Got It? section when you are ready.

Image - Button Next