Take a Journey of Discovery with RXTE - Classroom Activity

DREW logo

Mission #1

Objective:

tape scissors

Construct a model of the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE)

clip board

Evaluate the completed model of the RXTE

brain

Develop an understanding of RXTE's three scientific instruments, focusing on the All-Sky Monitor.


Exploration:

1. You and the other mission specialists on your team have one minute to select one of the four jobs from the list below:

maintenance
trash

Cleans and tidies work area

paint buckettapescissors

Colors and constructs the body of the satellite


mat
printer

Prints all pertinent data for the team

document

Hands out all necessary supplies

paint tape scissors

Colors and constructs the ASM


MOR
clock

Watches time and encourages team to stay on task

mac

Enters URLs and selects hyperlinks

paint tape scissors

Colors and constructs both antennae


pi
book

Ensures each team member has a chance to read

paint tape scissors

Colors and constructs solar panels

paint tape scissors

Colors and constructs square antenna pieces

open hand

Oversees the building of the RXTE and assists with the construction process


Within each group:

book

Reread the Introduction Page

mac

Explore the hyperlinks in the NASA Bulletin on the Introduction Page

printer

Print one copy of each of the hyperlinked pages


Explanation:

In order to become more familiar with the RXTE satellite, the members of your team will construct a model of it. The group will cut out and color all parts of the satellite using the colored model your teacher constructed as a guide. Finally, the team will use a rubric to evaluate the completed model.


Elaboration:

mac

Go to Build Your Own Model of RXTE!

printer

Print the model (black & white version)

scissors

Cut out the model

paint

Color the model

scissors tape

Construct the model


Evaluation:

clip board

Use a rubric to evalute the correctness of the model.


Homework:

Complete the third column of the K-W-L graphic organizer by listing what you have learned about a satellite and its components.

Proceed to Mission #2