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To illustrate the issues of distance for signals in planetary space
missions, I made up a game years ago; there may be a better version out
there now but...

I had the children divide into two teams.  Each team had someone
designated as the "robot" explorer on Mars, and another child designated
as the "controller".  The robots were either blindfolded, covered with a
hat, or simply asked to keep their eyes shut, after being positioned in
a safe location, with no sharp furniture or exhibits and no
knee-bangers, but with some soft items in the way (bushes and trees, if
outside).

The other kids all acted as "messages" to the robot.  The controller, at
one end of the room (although I usually did this outside) would send off
a whispered message with one child to give to the robot.  Each message
was somewhat simple ("take 3 steps forward", "turn left," "bend down,"
etc.)  Before the game begins, I would have a goal for each robot (take
this route with x number of steps and turns to get to the bush over
there and bend down and pick a flower, for instance).  The robots would
be in different locations but have similar goals.  The controller would
be given simple directions or perhaps a list of directions by the game
leader, but could alter them after observing missteps (the robot moved
too far, turned too far, etc.)

Ultimately, it's a race to see which team achieves the goal first.
Along the way, they hopefully learn that when you are sending signals to
another world, it takes time--reactions to commands are not
instantaneous.

Christine

_________________________

  Christine Shupla, Education Outreach Specialist
  Lunar and Planetary Institute
  3600 Bay Area Boulevard
  Houston, TX  77058
  [log in to unmask]
  (281) 486-2135
  http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/

 
 

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