Destination Asteroid
Destination Asteroid
Activity Overview
This activity is designed to introduce learners to the process of selecting an asteroid to investigate as part of a solar system exploration mission. Learners will:
- Gain an understanding of asteroids and their locations across our Solar System
- Gain awareness of exploration missions to asteroids
- Identify and apply criteria involved in designing a mission to an asteroid
- Design their own asteroid investigation mission.
Activity Scope
• Grades 5-12+ • Ages 10-17+ • Full Activity 2+ Hours
• Adaptations for Informal Use < 1 hour
• Adaptations for Informal Use < 1 hour
Relevant Topics
Asteroids, Solar System Exploration, Exploration Missions
Adaptations for Informal Use
If using this activity or activity cards as part of an informal learning environment consider the following adaptations each of which can be completed in ~15 - 30+ minutes:
- As an activity station: Have a facilitator who can set up the board and briefly explain to participants what the activity is all about. The facilitator should; a)Set up the board by putting each game card set in its proper location and having card decks flipped to the specific criteria for a given mission (i.e. OSIRIS-REx); b)Provide a brief oral overview of each of the card sets and why they are flipped to a specific criteria (refer to the criteria identified in the given Mission card) to participants; c)Provide oral instructions on how to play the game; and d)Allow participants to "play the game" & find the destination asteroid for a given mission. [See the teacher guide page 10 for additional details.]
- Explore and Sort Asteroid Cards: Print the asteroid cards (all or a select set of cards) and have participants explore the different asteroids sorting the cards in some way (by size, by class, by location, by rotation period). Discuss observations and information about asteroids with your participants.
- Preliminary Mission Design Considerations: Have participants explore the Mission Rationale and Mission Type Cards to gain an awareness of the different reasons and different types of missions NASA and other space agencies have sent to asteroids. Ask participants to share their preliminary mission design considerations by choosing a Missional Rationale and Mission Type they would focus on if designing a mission to an asteroid. (Be sure to ask them to justify their thoughts!)
- Mission + Destination Asteroid Match Game: Without using the "game board", have a set of asteroid cards and Mission cards (1 or more) out on a table. Have participants read about a mission and then select the asteroid card that meets the criteria making it a suitable destination for that mission. Continue this process with other missions as desired.
Activity Resources
Game Board
PDF • 0.8 MB
Educator Guide
PDF • 3.4 MB
Activity Instructions
PDF • 0.3 MB
Activity Cards
PDF • 3.3 MB
Asteroid Cards
PDF • 2.7 MB
Mission Summary Log
PDF • 0.1 MB
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