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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Sphero Rocket Payload Mission

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Sphero Rocket Payload Mission

A 9th - 12th grade STEM lesson

Bridget Hagest

September 15, 2024

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Notes for teachers

This lesson uses Sphero's "Rocket Payload" activity with the Outer Space Mat. The full lesson includes information on rocket payload, a Sphero coding challenge, a NASA link to read, optional questions to go with the NASA link, an engineering challenge extension of creating a payload from craft supplies, a math extension emphasizing cost of payload on space missions, and information on the "Plant the Moon Challenge".

List of Materials

Sphero (BOLT +, BOLT, RVR/RVR+, Mini or SPRK+)

one per team

Sphero Edu app downloaded on device
Sphero Outer Space Mat
Internet access (for NASA website)
Basic craft supplies

small cups
craft sticks
straws
pipe cleaners, etc.

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Standards

Arizona Science Standards

Plus HS+E.E2U1.14 Use mathematics and computational thinking to explain the movement of planets and objects in the solar system.

Plus HS+E.E2U1.16 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about patterns of size and scale of our solar system, our galaxy, and the universe.

Essential HS.P3U1.6 Collect, analyze, and interpret data regarding the change in motion of an object or system in one dimension, to construct an explanation using Newton’s Laws.

Standards

Arizona Educational Technology Standards

9-12.5.c. Students break problems into component parts, extract key information, and develop descriptive models to understand complex systems or facilitate problem-solving.

9-12.5.d. Students understand how automation works and use algorithmic thinking to develop a sequence of steps to create and test automated solutions.

Arizona Math Standards

A1.N-Q.A Reason quantitatively and use units to solve problems.

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National Standards

HS-PS2-1: Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions

Description: Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.
Alignment: Corresponds to AZ HS.P3U1.6. Students use the Sphero to simulate rocket payload and analyze how added mass affects motion (acceleration/velocity).

HS-ESS1-4: Earth's Place in the Universe

Description: Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system.
Alignment: Corresponds to AZ HS+E.E2U1.14. The "Sphero Coding Challenge" involves simulating planetary travel and understanding orbital mechanics/movement in the solar system.

HS-ETS1-2: Engineering Design

Description: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
Alignment: Supported by the "Engineer Payload Challenge", where students must design a payload solution within constraints (budget/weight).

National Standards

ISTE Standards for Students: 1.5 Computational Thinker

1.5.c: Students break problems into component parts, extract key information, and develop descriptive models to understand complex systems or facilitate problem-solving. (Matches AZ 9-12.5.c)
1.5.d: Students understand how automation works and use algorithmic thinking to develop a sequence of steps to create and test automated solutions. (Matches AZ 9-12.5.d)

CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards (Level 3A)

3A-AP-17: Decompose problems into smaller components through systematic analysis, using constructs such as procedures, modules, and/or objects.
Alignment: The lesson requires students to decompose the "mission" into codeable segments for the Sphero robot.

HSN.Q.A: Quantities

Description: Reason quantitatively and use units to solve problems.
Alignment: Corresponds to AZ A1.N-Q.A. Specifically aligned to the "Calculate the Cost of Payload" activity where students must compute the total cost of their designed payload system.

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Objective(s):

Create a sequence of block code to navigate Sphero from Earth to three other locations in the solar system, then back to Earth again.

Use computational thinking to predict how payload will affect the movement of a rocket (Sphero) throughout the solar system.

Explain how added payload affected the motion of the rocket (Sphero) using Newton’s Laws.

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Agenda (lesson time)

Rocket Payload (5:23)
NASA Payload Systems (10:00)
Sphero Coding Challenge (20:00)
Engineer Payload Challenge (20:00)
Calculate the Cost of Payload (20:00)
Plant the Moon Challenge information (10:00)

Agenda & Timeframe: Read (1 minute) The suggested time frames add up to more than a typical class period. Pick and choose which components you want to complete.

Rocket Payload video (5:23) introduces the main topic for the lesson,
NASA Payload Systems (10:00) has students reading a short article on different kinds of payloads. The time frame can be longer / shorter depending on whether you read it together, they read it on their own, and if you require them to answer comprehension questions.
Sphero Coding Challenge (20:00)- This could take a little longer or shorter depending on the students’ prior experience working with Sphero.
Engineer Payload Challenge (20:00)- This could take longer/shorter depending on materials and time frame given for creativity.
Calculate the Cost of Payload (20:00)- Optional research / math extension
Plant the Moon Challenge information (10:00)- The video clip is just over 8 minutes long; then you can explore the challenge’s website for information

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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Sphero Coding Challenge

Hands-On Activity:

Grouping depends on how many Sphero robots you have. Each group needs a Sphero and a device with the Sphero Edu app downloaded onto it. The groups can share a mat, but if you have too many groups working on the mats at the same time, their Spheros may run into each other. Make sure they take turns running their programs.
The more groups you have sharing mats, the longer amount of time they will need to work as well. (Working on my own, it took me 15 minutes to program and perfect the route.)
Have students write their code down on a piece of paper as they work. If they exit out of the app, they may have to enter the code again. If it is written down on paper, they won’t have to start all over again. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/196nYm5DknUDBSOdAf0sd_aGfnd7gJ-KbxMUZfPQLZZ4/edit?usp=sharing
You can tell students specifically which three locations they need to navigate to in the solar system, or you can have them decide. I created a handout (above) you can give them with these instructions and some suggested locations. You can print off different versions or leave them blank and have the students fill in the locations.

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Engineering Payload Challenge

Create a physical payload for the robot to carry through space.
Use only the supplies provided.
Run the program again.

How does change in payload affect the mission?
Did the robot complete the mission as originally designed, with the same program?

Adjust your program as needed so the robot can transport its new payload.

Hands-On Activity:

Remind students that payload can be anything that we send to space. Encourage them to get creative with their payload.
You can require them to explain the scientific purpose of their payload.
Provide different-sized cups depending on which Sphero you are using. Standard styrofoam cups fit well over the Sphero bolt and they are easy to work with.
When students add payload, they should find that their original code will not work. The payload really slows down the Sphero. You can have them look at the Sensor Data in the Sphero Edu app with and without the payload to compare things like accelerometer, velocity, distance, and more.
Have students write their new code and reflect on one of the versions of the handout, page 7 or 8: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/196nYm5DknUDBSOdAf0sd_aGfnd7gJ-KbxMUZfPQLZZ4/edit?usp=sharing

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Calculate the Cost of Payload

NASA is supporting the creation of a lunar economy through commercial deliveries of NASA science that will help prepare for the next generation of explorers.

Research the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Initiative and complete the table. Estimate the cost to launch each payload using the information provided.

Hands-On Activity: There is information provided below on the cost of previous payloads, as well as a look to future costs. You can have students read the different documents and modify assignments based on your needs.

Here is a link to the worksheet above. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JJ1e6YZg2S8Z8ttFZMPZBC3QBFTc5ys2iADS1SObJ2M/edit?usp=sharing

Use this website to complete the data table: https://www.nasa.gov/reference/commercial-lunar-payload-services/

NASA, 2018- The Recent Large Reduction in Space Launch Cost: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20200001093/downloads/20200001093.pdf The NASA document is 8 pages long, but it is written at a level that high school students can understand and it is very interesting. It provides payload data from previous launches, up until 2018.
American Enterprise Institute, 2024- Moore’s Law Meet Musk’s Law: The Underappreciated Story of SpaceX and the Stunning Decline in Launch Costs: https://www.aei.org/articles/moores-law-meet-musks-law-the-underappreciated-story-of-spacex-and-the-stunning-decline-in-launch-costs/#:~:text=With%20Starship%2C%20full%20reusability%20is,to%20%24150%2Fkg%20over%20time. This article emphasizes the different approaches between NASA and SpaceX, specifically SpaceX’s iterative approach (test, fail, learn, modify, test again, etc.), and the goal of reducing launch cost in the future by reusing rockets.
NASA, 2023- Commercial Lunar Payload Services: https://www.nasa.gov/reference/commercial-lunar-payload-services/ As part of the Artemis missions, commercial deliveries beginning in 2023 will perform science experiments, test technologies, and demonstrate capabilities to help NASA explore the Moon and prepare for human missions. This link has information on the different contracts.

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Plant the Moon Challenge

NASA is heading back to the Moon and will explore more of the lunar surface than ever before! This Challenge asks high school students, undergraduates, and professionals to test what nutrients, fertilizers, or other modifications to the regolith are needed to grow nutrient rich, sustainable food sources for future astronauts.

Join a global science experiment and research challenge to examine how vegetable crops can grow in lunar or Martian soil.

https://plantthemoon.com/home/

Plant the Moon Challenge: Extension Activity

As NASA ramps up the Artemis program, growing plants using water and soil from the moon could become a necessity during longer duration stays there. When space biologists recently grew plants in actual moon soil, it was a game changer. WIRED spoke with Sharmila Bhattacharya (Senior NASA Program Scientist, Space Biology) to find out exactly how they did it. (8:37)

This scholastic challenge correlates with this lesson because there is a strong emphasis on reducing the amount of payload headed to the Moon due to cost. Students get to contribute to scientific research being done to determine the best growing conditions and crops to grow in lunar regolith. This is a valuable experiment because future missions to the Moon pose challenges when considering how to feed crews. Spaceship cargo space is limited. Bringing seeds instead of fully grown plants and learning how to use local resources is our best option for sustaining life and allowing long duration space exploration.

There is a cost to participate in this challenge, but there are many scholarships and grants available. Once registered, you get sent lunar (or martian) regolith and some basic supplies to conduct your experiment.

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Sphero Coding Challenge

Assessment

Students will demonstrate their successful block program by navigating Sphero to three different objects in the solar system.

Students will provide their written block program.

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Engineering Payload Challenge

Assessment

Students will demonstrate their successful block program (adjusted for payload) by navigating Sphero to three different objects in the solar system.

Students will provide their written block program.

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Calculate the Cost of Payload

Assessment

Students will complete the data table by accurately researching the required information and calculating the cost, using the figures provided.

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Differentiation

For the Sphero Coding Challenge, you can give students bigger objects to navigate to in order to make it a little easier. The bigger the object, the easier it is to land on. Avoid small objects.
For the Sphero Coding Challenge and the Engineering Payload Challenge, there is a version of the handout that already shows the block code. Students just need to plug in the numbers.
For the Calculating the Cost of Payload handout, you can change the cost to 10 $k/kg to make the math easier.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

For the Sphero Coding Challenge, you can give students smaller objects to navigate to in order to make it a little more challenging. The smaller the object, the harder it is to land on.
For the Sphero Coding Challenge and the Engineering Payload Challenge, there is a version of the handout with a blank space for them to write in their own block code.
Have students do additional (current) research. Choose a specific payload that has recently been sent to space. Explain its scientific purpose. Research the cost to send that payload to space.

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Handouts