Objective
Describe the role of computers in understanding the Solar System (e.g., collecting and
interpreting data from observations, predicting motion of objects, operating space probes).
Paint by the Numbers
(from NASA’s STARDUST Mission: Think SMALL in a Big Way)
Materials
 Mission Control Worksheet
 Pencil
Procedure
1. Divide into pairs.
2. One Student gets the Student A Worksheet and a transparent grid. The other
Student gets the Student B Worksheet. Student A will not reveal the picture to
Student B.
3. The picture is an object being observed at a great distance. It will be scanned by
an optical device like those found on some astronomical satellites and an image will
be created on paper.
4. Student A places the transparent grid over the picture. Student A should look at
the brightness of each square defined by the grid lines and assigns it a number
according to the chart above the picture. Student A will then call out the number to
Student B. If a particular square covers an area of the picture that is both light and
dark, Student A should estimate its total brightness and assign an intermediate value
to the square such as a 1 or a 2.
Note: The letters and numbers on two sides of the grid can assist the receiving
Student in finding the location of each square to be shaded.
5. After receiving a number from Student A, Student B will shade the
corresponding square on the grid. If the number is 0, the square should be shaded
black. If it is 3, the square should be left as it is.
6. Compare the original picture with the image sketched on the paper.
Part II - Telemetry
(a lesson from UEN.org 6th Grade Teacher Resources)
[1]
Objective
Describe the role of computers in understanding the Solar System (e.g., collecting and
interpreting data from observations, predicting motion of objects, operating space probes).
Materials
 Grid sheet
 Pictures of objects on grid sheet
Procedure
1. Students must work in pairs. One student will have a picture on a grid sheet. The
other student will have a blank grid sheet.
2. The student with the picture is the “sender.” The student with the blank sheet is
the receiver.
3. The sender needs to code the colors in their picture. Use the following key:
0 = no color or white
1 = gray
2 = black
4. The sender will have to decide if partially filled squares count as a color or not.
They cannot be partially filled.
5. The sender will “send” their picture to the other by reading off the grid and the
proper color. (For example, 1A – 2; G17 – 1, etc.)
6. The receiver should fill in their grid and try to guess what the picture is.
7. Use the second picture and change responsibilities. The student who sent will
receive. The student who received will send.
[2]
Objective
Describe the role of computers in understanding the Solar System (e.g., collecting and
interpreting data from observations, predicting motion of objects, operating space probes).
Names ____________________________________________________________
Part I - Paint By the Numbers
(from NASA’s STARDUST Mission: Think SMALL in a Big Way)
1. How did the transmitted image change from the original picture?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. What do you think would happen if the grid squares were bigger? Smaller?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. What other factors besides number of pixels per area can affect the detail of an
image?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Staple the copy of Student Worksheet B and the two messages from
Telemetry to this worksheet.
[3]
Objective
Describe the role of computers in understanding the Solar System (e.g., collecting and
interpreting data from observations, predicting motion of objects, operating space probes).
Part II - Telemetry
(a lesson from UEN.org 6th Grade Teacher Resources)
Questions
1. Were you able to guess what the picture was that was sent to you?
__________________________________________________________________
2. How was the translated picture different from the real one?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. You sent the picture to your partner using what type of waves?
__________________________________________________________________
4. Are pictures sent through space on these same waves?
__________________________________________________________________
5. What would happen if you used a different size grid than the sender? (with more
rows or columns?)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
[4]
Objective
Describe the role of computers in understanding the Solar System (e.g., collecting and
interpreting data from observations, predicting motion of objects, operating space probes).
Paint By Numbers
[5]
Objective
Describe the role of computers in understanding the Solar System (e.g., collecting and
interpreting data from observations, predicting motion of objects, operating space probes).
[6]
Objective
Describe the role of computers in understanding the Solar System (e.g., collecting and
interpreting data from observations, predicting motion of objects, operating space probes).
[7]
Objective
Describe the role of computers in understanding the Solar System (e.g., collecting and
interpreting data from observations, predicting motion of objects, operating space probes).
Apple
[8]
Objective
Describe the role of computers in understanding the Solar System (e.g., collecting and
interpreting data from observations, predicting motion of objects, operating space probes).
Shark
[9]
Objective
Describe the role of computers in understanding the Solar System (e.g., collecting and
interpreting data from observations, predicting motion of objects, operating space probes).
Paint By the Numbers - Key
(from NASA’s STARDUST Mission: Think SMALL in a Big Way)
1. How did the transmitted image change from the original picture?
Answers will vary.
2. What do you think would happen if the grid squares were bigger? Smaller?
Example: The smaller the grid squares, the clearer the picture.
The larger the grid, the fuzzier the picture.
3. What other factors besides number of pixels per area can affect the detail of an image?
Answers will vary.
Telemetry - Key
Questions
1. Were you able to guess what the picture was that was sent to you?
Answers will vary.
2. How was the translated picture different from the real one?
Answers will vary.
3. You sent the picture to your partner using what type of waves?
Sound Waves
4. Are pictures sent through space on these same waves?
[10]
Objective
Describe the role of computers in understanding the Solar System (e.g., collecting and
interpreting data from observations, predicting motion of objects, operating space probes).
No. To send them in space you use radio waves.
5. What would happen if you used a different size grid than the sender? (with more rows or
columns?)
With more rows and columns, you would have a sharper, clearer
image.
[11]