The Our World From Space programme includes the following science activities for science centres to run as part of the hands-on content to explain how satellites work and the relevance of UK space science for the future health and sustainability of our home planet.
- Altimetry activity:
This activity will allow audiences to play the role of a satellite that is designed to measure and help produce a model of Earth's surface features. Studying the structure of the Earth’s surface, and producing maps of elevation across the planet are useful for monitoring everything from vegetation health and density, to the effects of climate change on the ice sheets.
Altimetry Activity
OWFS Laser Altimetry work sheet - Build your own satellite:
One way to learn more about satellites and how they work is to build your own! This activity shows the common components of a satellite and lets people think about how they might fit together. Check out the templates below for making Aeolus, Sentinel 6 or Biomass satellites
OWFS Build your own satellite - Make and take
OWFS - Make your own satellite
OWFS Satellite Templates - Ocean acidification:
A simple demonstration that shows the principles of ocean acidification in action in a simple and effective way, giving groups the opportunity to discuss the implications and how Earth Observation satellites can help us to study this. - Penguin Poo from space
Whilst penguins themselves can be too small to show up on satellite images, their poo (or guano) can be spotted in satellite imagery. Penguin poo stains/patches across Antarctica have allowed scientists to track penguin populations across the entire continent, and even discover new ones. Have a go at spotting penguin poo from space for yourself with this activity!
OWFS Penguin Poo from Space Method
OWFS Penguin poo worksheet
OWFS Penguin poo floor mat 2.3x1.5m - Deep diving! Marine Animal tracking
As marine animals spend a lot of time underwater, opportunities for humans on land to observe and monitor them can be quite limited, but satellites have the ability to track marine animals around the world when the animals if they are fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) tags. This activity uses reaction timers, allowing participants to ‘be’ the satellites by recording animal locations. - Satellite card game
A mix and match game where the aim of the activity is to find the best satellite for each task. - Lightboxes
Images that show changes over time are perfect for using with lightboxes, allowing participants to trace the features of the first image, then trace the features of the later image on the same piece of acetate or tracing paper, so they can see the extent of the change.
OWFS Light Boxes Activity - Satellite backpack
The Satellite backpack helps people to imagine what it’s like to be a satellite, in order to understand what satellites do and how they are useful for understanding more about the Earth and environmental science. By using the contents of the backpack to look at the world around them, people can independently develop this understanding using an investigative mindset. - Squashy satellite
One way to learn more about satellites and how they work is to build your own! This activity shows the common components of a satellite and lets people think about how they might fit together.
