Educational Materials

The Importance of Radio Astronomy

The Importance of Radio Astronomy
Overview

Students will learn about the importance of radio astronomy to the study of space. After reviewing radio waves students will participate in a hands-on activity that models how radio telescopes work. Once they understand how the data is collected students will investigate one of the telescopes and learn about the important work done at that location.

NGSS Standards

MS-PS4-2 Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

MS-PS4-3 Integrate qualitative scientific and technical information to support the claim that digitized signals are a more reliable way to encode and transmit information than analog signals.

MS-PS4-5 Communicate technical information about how some technological devices use the principles of wave behavior and wave interactions with matter to transmit and capture information and energy.

Materials
  • Umbrellas
  • Ball pit balls
  • Colored pencils
Keywords
  • Radio astronomy
  • Radio frequencies