TEACHER’S GUIDE

 

FINDING P.I.P.E.R.

1: WELCOME

Coordinate pairs

Welcome to SPACE ACADEMY! In this warmup activity, students learn their mission: rescuing the lost explorer robot P.I.P.E.R.

2: WHERE IS P.I.P.E.R.?

Coordinate pairs

Crews use a grid map of Proxima Centauri b and a series of data transmissions to figure out P.I.P.E.R.’s last known location.

3: BUILD YOUR E.E.V.

Engineering design

Each crew will build an “Exoplanet Exploration Vehicle” (E.E.V.) to help them navigate the rocky terrain of Proxima Centauri b.

 

4: HOW FAR? HOW FAST?

Distance, rate & time

Crews develop a method to predict how far their vehicle will travel in any given amount of time, then test their ability to make these predictions.

5: PRECISION

Making predictions

Cadets discover the importance of using standardized methods and units of measurement as they collect data on the E.E.V.’s movements.

6: GRAPH IT

Using graphs

Plotting their data, cadets practice using a graph to make accurate, fast predictions about the movement of their E.E.V.

 

7: RESCUE SIMULATION

Place value

Crews are ready to head to Proxima Centauri b to rescue P.I.PE.R. But before they go, they must complete a simulated rescue.

8: PREPARE FOR LIFTOFF

Classifying 2D shapes

To determine the security code for the rocket, each crew will need to decipher an image with 2D shapes and a decoder sheet.

9: REACTIVATE P.I.P.E.R

Using graphs & tables

Arriving on Proxima Centauri b crews rescue P.I.P.E.R. by determining how long they need to run their E.E.V.’s to reach the search zone.

 

10: TIME TO GO HOME

Using graphs & tables

P.I.P.E.R. has been rescued ... but there is an unexpected crisis: an asteroid is heading right for the search zone! Evacuate!