Only half of the 6th grade made it to tech this week, because of conferences.  We spent the day exploring the lab computers and learning about 2 programs that support the work that is going on in Science and STEM.

Microsoft Student has an interactive learning tool that explores how speed and angle effect orbits.  We spent some time playing with the 2 variables to create circular and elliptical satellite rotations.

The rest of our time was spent in Google Moon (a feature of Google Earth).  On the Moon, we found evidence of humans (decommissioned, crashed satellites), entered panoramic photographs taken by real astronauts on their visits, tracked the paths of rovers that have been deployed, viewed video footage on lunar landings from YouTube, and overlayed historic maps of the Moon’s surface.  In the process, we learned to use Google Earth’s layers and navigation controls.