Celebrate launch in your classroom

Step 1: Register your class and request an educator's packet

Packet includes:
  • Lesson Plans
  • SDO Posters
  • Stickers
  • Scientists Like Me Career Features
  • Solar Viewing Glasses
  • Other materials and resources

Step 2: Plan for launch day!

  • SDO is scheduled to launch February 3rd 2010 but THIS MAY CHANGE. It's best to prepare for the day of launch, but have backup plans should launch slip. Keep checking this website for launch date updates.
  • Decide how to run your launch day celebration. Will you be watching with only one class? Will you get the whole science department involved? Or will you bring the whole school to the auditorium?

Step 3: Get your technology in order.

Connect to Nasa's ustream site
  • Watch the event and read the twitter conversation at the same time.
  • You can project this for the whole class to see, or use on individual computers.
  • ustream link
NASA TV website
  • If ustream doesn't suit you, watch the feed only on this site. It can also be projected for the class or group.
Local cable nasa channel
  • If you have a TV in your classroom, or you can project this to a larger group in a classroom or auditorium, this will most likely be the best image quality.
Twitter (Hash tag search link)
  • Open this as a separate page to view the conversation. Everyone talking about launch will add #SDOisGO or #NASATweetup to the end of their tweet.
NASA Digital Learning Network
 
Twitterfall
  • Show the whole conversation in real time, scrolling down your screen using this link. This can be projected along side the live broadcast.
  • Twitterfall link

Make sure your school's security settings allow you to access these sites if you choose to use them.
Sign up for a twitter account if you haven't already so you can join in the conversation on launch day.
Test out your connections and the websites. Make sure images are clear and you have good audio.

Step 4: Celebrate the launch of the Solar Dynamics Observatory!

 
  • Plan your lessons leading up to launch: Get your students excited! They will be viewing live the launch of a cutting edge NASA satellite. Scientists and engineers working on SDO have waited for this day - join in the excitement!
  • Submit questions for SDO scientists ONE WEEK prior to launch. Your questions may be answered on NASA TV! (LINK HERE??)
  • Put up launch posters
  • Wear Sun-themed clothes
  • Offer extra credit for sun-themed science projects
  • Play Solar Songs

Step 5: Reflect.

  • Have students write their reactions to the launch.
  • Use the time afterward to talk about careers at NASA, the science that might be done in the future, or what their idea of a scientist is.
  • Complete the post-launch teacher survey (link will be emailed to you) and get another packet of free NASA goodies.

Launch Day Scenario 1:

"The week leading up to launch my 6th graders will be learning about the sun - solar energy, as well as the water cycle and the seasons. I've spoken to their art teacher and they are going to make a giant scale model of the sun, Jupiter and the earth and hang it in our school entryway. On launch day I've asked everyone to wear something "sunny." My class is going to join with the 5th grade science class next door to watch the launch projected on a smart board. I've signed up for twitter so I'll be able to post student comments during the event. We also have a list of questions that we will submit for scientists to answer. We are very excited!" - Ms. M, Dayton, Ohio

Launch Day Scenario 2:

"I'm going to have my classes of 10th and 11th grade engineering students research what it takes to design and build a space craft, focusing on the careers that contribute to the space program. We will also be learning about SDO in particular by building the lego model and then making one of our own out of balsa wood. On the day of launch my team and I are taking all of our students to the auditorium where we will watch the live feed on one screen, and twitterfall on another. Some students have twitter accounts so they will be allowed to post their comments using their phones. For students without cell phones or twitter accounts they can call us to do it for them. We plan to blast the Solar Songs over the sound system before the event, and allow students to turn in designs for a solar cooker as extra credit." - Mr. Z San Francisco, California