Submersibles PowerPoint
Scooter Boards
Meter sticks
80 paper fish approx. 15 in. long
Robotics equipment: PVC pipe, connectors, motors and Controllers, electrical tape, pipe insulation, zip ties, 12-volt batteries, and chargers
1 Fish Tote
1 rubber tote for each ROV and other materials
Timers (for missions)
Optional:
Underwater cameras
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. (MS-PS2-1)
Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. (MS-PS2-2)
Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions. (MS-ETS1-1)
Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. (MS-ETS1-4
This investigation depends on the acquisition or use of robotics equipment. (See the MATE vendor information in the Resources section.) The motors and the controllers are available on loan for the cost of the shipping. You can fill out an online request form on the MATE website.
You will still need to get the PVC pipe, connectors, pipe insulation, batteries and chargers, electrical tape, and zip ties, but a school site council or our PTA may be able to help. Arrange for a loan of a fish tote to have at school temporarily; ask the custodian for the best place to place this. You can also collect miscellaneous equipment for attachments such as scoops, sand shovels, net, and kitchen utensils.
Cameras and recorders provide more options for challenges and activities if these are available for the students to use. You may be able to purchase a monitor and waterproof video that works well for under $200 or you be able to borrow one from a local agency such as NOAA or the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Secure permission to us a local pool and scout out field trip sites for the student projects. Arrange necessary permissions, transportation, adult volunteers, and other logistics.
Session 1: Review the Introduction to Submersibles PowerPoint presentation with 10 slides designed to get students started with their own research about ROVs and AUVs. The last slide gives students instructions to search on their own to find out more.
Print out the Boats of the Week newspaper article (See Resources section for link) and make copies if you plan to have students read it on their own.
Session 2: Transect Activity. Read through the ROV Exercise: Surveying Rockfish Simulation for a detailed description of how this activity was done in McNeil Canyon Elementary School in Homer, Alaska. Review the McNeil Transect Data on Excel spreadsheets (there are several layers different sheets) for an example of data collection and analysis. ((See Resources section for downloadable files.)
This activity is designed to take place in the school gym or multi-purpose room. Divide the gym into 1-meter long sections and set up boundaries for a rectangular area. If you use the measurements in the McNeil Canyon Elementary Example - 21 meters by 13 meters, the math equations can also work as an example.
Spread out previously cut out 80 paper fish about 15 inches in length randomly around the gym flat on the floor, across the meter long sections.
Gather scooter boards and meter sticks.
All pool sessions: Move the necessary supplies and equipment to the pool ahead of time. If possible, ask parent volunteers to set everything up. One or more will need to go into the water to retrieve ROVs or other materials.
Pool sessions when students carry out missions: Review the suggested missions ahead of time and decide which ones you will assign and what specific materials will be needed for the practice session and the actual, scored mission. Arrange for judges to score the missions and invite parents and the local media. This is a fun and exciting event!
Session 1
(60 mins.)
Extension: If you have the ability to print out some images along with their information, these would make a great display for this unit.
Session 2
(40 mins.)
(20 minutes)
Show the PowerPoint presentation Buttercup’s Great Adventure. (See Resources section.)
Session 3, 4, and possibly 5
(60 min. sessions)
Session 5 or 6
Practice sessions for missions with ROVs at a local pool
(60 mins.)
It’s a bonus if you can work with agency personnel for this activity. Alaska Department of Fish and Game or NOAA personnel are ideal and it's even better if they have been involved earlier in the unit. Extra expertise is extra exposure for your students!
Session 6 or 7
Carrying out the Missions
(2 – 3 hours, have at least 2 courses set-up so 2 teams can go at a time.)
Ask parent volunteers set up the mission ahead of time and stay in the pool for help when needed and for filming underwater. Have one parent take photos topside so you will have plenty of photos for a display after the unit. Use agency personnel and local experts as judges for this day if at possible.
Session 7 or 8: Plan a Project
(60 mins.)
After the de-brief of the mission (see below), students design a study, monitoring project or citizen science project using a submersible. The goal is to use it as a tool to monitor something that is useful to study to add to the knowledge base of science and something that is useful in understanding or solving a problem in the local environment. Students need to consider constraints on the operation of a submersible to cause as little disruption to a local marine or aquatic ecosystem as possible.
If possible, invite government agency personnel or local experts to talk to your class to get an idea of a need or a project that might be possible to do using student robots in your local area. (Or talk to them if they can’t get away - is there current research that is going on in the local area that can give the students ideas about what they can do using their technology as an exploration tool for learning?
Brainstorm and discuss with the class, come up with ideas. Describe what they could do with their robot to modify it for use or research task in the local environment. What would be an issue – for example is buoyancy affected by the salt in the ocean water? What adjustments might be necessary?
After a possible robot modification session in class, take the class to local environment with the robots. (Students may have come up with some ideas on what they could do with their robots and projects with the local environment, but if they haven’t yet, that is all right. Ideas may come later, but first, they may need more experience and exposure with this tool for this purpose.) If robots are outfitted with cameras or video cameras, plan on taking some pictures and or video footage in the local environment and analyze the images later. Can the students identify living organisms or other items in the local environment? What is the visibility like? Is there a difference between what the different robot’s encounters in the local environment? Is it different than the students see from the surface?
After any further student research extensions are explored, dismantle robots, return borrowed equipment, and make a photo display board of students involved in this project. This is an exciting opportunity to inspire others as well as encourage your students to continue this venture into the world of underwater technology and exploration.
Scoring options for missions:
Students score for points on a scale of 1 – 5 for each mission with partial points possible.
Students score 1 point for completion and no point for incomplete mission.
Formative Assessment - Mission Debrief Session:
(60 minutes)
After the final pool session, students debrief back in the classroom. They reflect on the experience and their submersible design. What worked well and what needed more engineering if they had more time and could make some recommendations?
Summative Assessment:
Assess the students’ project planning skills. If they are not able to carry out their project, assess their performance of skills in developing questions and designing the investigation that makes appropriate use of the technology.
Assess teamwork and participation in individual and group discussion.
This investigation was developed by Sheryl Sotelo for Chugach School District after the District purchased a submersible with funds provided by Alaska Sea Grant through their school grant program.
A lot of preparation and gathering of materials is required for this unit, but it is a powerful and engaging unit and worth the effort.
Prior Student Knowledge: Students should understand the concepts of buoyancy and neutral buoyancy.
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Apply scientific ideas or principles to design an object, tool, process or system. (MS-PS2-1)
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Plan an investigation individually and collaboratively, and in the design: identify independent and dependent variables and controls, what tools are needed to do the gathering, how measurements will be recorded, and how many data are needed to support a claim. (MS-PS2-2)
Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Define a design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process or system and includes multiple criteria and constraints, including scientific knowledge that may limit possible solutions. (MS-ETS1-1)
Developing and Using Models
Develop a model to generate data to test ideas about designed systems, including those representing inputs and outputs. (MS-ETS1-4)
Disciplinary Core Ideas |
Forces and Motion The motion of an object is determined by the sum of the forces acting on it; if the total force on the object is not zero, its motion will change. The greater the mass of the object, the greater the force needed to achieve the same change in motion. For any given object, a larger force causes a larger change in motion. (MS-PS2-2) ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems The more precisely a design task’s criteria and constraints can be defined, the more likely it is that the designed solution will be successful. Specification of constraints includes consideration of scientific principles and other relevant knowledge that is likely to limit possible solutions. (MS-ETS1-1)
A solution needs to be tested and then modified on the basis of the test results, in order to improve it. ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution The iterative process of testing the most promising solutions and modifying what is proposed on the basis of the test results leads to greater refinement and ultimately to an optimal solution. (MS-ETS1-4)
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Systems and System Models
Models can be used to represent systems and their interactions—such as inputs, processes and outputs—and energy and matter flows within systems. (MS-PS2-1)
Stability and Change
Explanations of stability and change in natural or designed systems can be
constructed by examining the changes over time and forces at different scales.
(MS-PS2-2)
Connections to Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science
Connections to Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science
Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World
The uses of technologies and any limitations on their use are driven by
individual or societal needs, desires, and values; by the findings of scientific
research; and by differences in such factors as climate, natural resources, and economic conditions. (MS-PS2-1)
The uses of technologies and any limitations on their use are driven by individual or societal needs, desires, and values; by the findings of scientific research; and by differences in such factors as climate, natural resources, and economic conditions.
All human activity draws on natural resources and has both short and long-term consequences, positive as well as negative, for the health of people and the natural environment. (MS-ETS1-1)