Audience
Educators
Grade Levels
Grades 5-8
Subject
Mathematics, Space Science, Technology, Fractions and Decimals, Problem Solving, Waves, Light, Solar System and Planets, Missions to Planets and Moons, Communication, Space Vehicles
Type
Lesson Plans / Activities
Students are introduced to the terms “signal” and “noise” in the context of spacecraft communication. This hands-on activity includes an online interactive to explore the Signal-to-Noise Ratio, a fundamental concept in spacecraft communication. The lesson’s pencil-and-paper component addresses relevant topics such as proportions and ratios.
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Understand the terms”signal” and “noise” in the context of spacecraft communications.
- Quantify noise using a given data set.
- Calculate the signal-to-noise ratio.
This lesson includes teacher and student pages.
Signals and Noise Ratio [632KB PDF file]
See also:
Earth Calling…
Signals and Noise, Oh Boy!