Introduction

This lesson was developed by Northside ISD teachers as part of the Region 20 Education Center's TifTech Webquest training. In analyzing data from websites, students will be able to predict the impact of  space weather on satellite technology and power transmissions.

Using websites, students will be a member of a scientific task force appointed by congress to study and evaluate the impact of space weather on satellite and power transmission systems. The student will prepare a research paper and a report in the form of a power
point presentation to present the details of the research to Congress. The report should include an explanation of the solar wind and the earth's magnetosphere, as well as a history of catastrophic events in the past linked to solar storms. Recommendations for reducing the chances of catastrophic events involving the International Space Station, communication satellites, and terrestrial power transmission systems will also be made.

Content Area, Grade Level
    This lesson covers eleventh and twelfth grade Physics I
I

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
 
 

Technology Applications TEKS

Information Acquisition:
The student uses a variety of strategies to acquire information from electronic resources, with appropriate supervision.

Physics TEKS
6 (B) research and describe the historical development of the concepts of gravitational, electrical, and magnetic force.
6(C) identify and analyze the influences of charge and distance on electric forces.
6(D) demonstrate the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
6 (F) identify examples of electrical and magnetic forces in everyday life.
8(B) identify the characteristics and behaviors of sound and electromagnetic waves.
 

Implementation Overview

• Day 1: Group research
• Days 2&3: Prewriting, listing, summarization and conclusion on word processor or paper
• Days 4&5: Rewriting, discussion, editing
• Days 6: Computer activity - development of concept-map and multimedia presentation.
• Day 7: Oral presentation of computer project

• Student Physics textbooks
• Internet
• Powerpoint software
• http://image.gsfc.nasa.gov/poetry/storm0/black1.html
• http://pluto.space.swri.edu/IMAGE/
• http://image.gsfc.nasa.gov/poetry/animations.htm
• http://image.gsfc.nasa.gov/
• http://ssdoo.gsfc.nasa.gov/education/resources.html
• http://www.spaceweather.noaa.gov/
• http://www.spaceweather.com/
• http://ssdoo.gsfc.nasa.gov/education/disciplines.html
• http://ssdoo.gsfc.nasa.gov/education/summer.html
• http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/RealTime/JTrack/3D/JTrack3D.html

Entry Level Skills and Knowledge

Teacher needs basic Internet skills and skills in the design of a powerpoint presentation.
 
 

Evaluation

The evaluation is based on the presentation. Students should include all project components and demonstrate an understanding of space weather and the impact it has on our society.

Extensions
Students could research careers that will become more important as the discovery of more information about the magnetosphere becomes available. For example, a magnetosphere specialists who works for the local electric company who will predict from satellite information the impact of solar flares on power transmission.
 
 

Conclusion
As more and more of our society becomes dependent on satellite technology, the phenomena of space weather is becoming increasingly important, yet very few people are aware of the tremendous impact
space weather can have.  This webquest will provide insight to the student about the importance of space weather.