Break On Through To The Other Side!
Rouse’s WebQuest
Essential
Understandings
Essential Question
Guidelines
Student Missions
An Exploratory WebQuest for
8th Grade Science
Telescopes (4)
Satellites (1)
Space Probes (4)
Spectroscopes (2)
Hillcrest Middle School, Simpsonville, SC
Assessment
Conclusion
Standards
Citations
Designed by – Mariana K. Rouse
mrouse@greenville.k12.sc
GO WILDCATS!!!
Standards Addressed:
8-4.10: Tools of technology used by scientists to explore space
8-6.8: The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Based on a template from The WebQuest Page
Essential Understandings
Tools of technology are used on a daily basis by scientists
wanting to know more about our universe. In this
WebQuest, we will be exploring the internet in order to
enhance our knowledge about the tools scientists use to
observe and gather data from space. These tools
include: telescopes, satellites, probes, and
spectroscopes. The information gathered through the
use of these instruments helps scientists form deeper
understandings of the universe.
In addition to researching these tools, there will be a brief
introduction of the electromagnetic spectrum…coming to
you soon in Unit 12 
WebQuest Essential Question
How have scientists used
technology to expand their
knowledge of the universe?
Guidelines
You will work as an individual on this
WebQuest
 Answer sheet provided to complete the
assigned tasks
 Estimated length to complete WebQuest:
3 class periods
 Assessed as a Major Grade (50%) worth
150 points

Now it’s time to…
BREAK ON
THROUGH TO THE
OTHER SIDE…
of our universe!
Your First Mission:
TELESCOPES
Task #1: How telescopes “see”
1. Read the information on telescopes.
2. Answer the following questions on your
answer sheet:
1.
2.
What is a major concern for creating lenses
and mirrors for telescopes?
Which is best for studying the light from
distant objects? Why?
Your First Mission:
TELESCOPES
Task #2: Cosmic Colors
Read the information provided.
Click on the telescope images on the right side
and review the information provided on each.
Click the link for the Cosmic Colors activity
and follow the provided directions.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
Write down the name of each object you observe.
For each object:
1.
2.
Which of the images shown is the most interesting to you?
What is the name of the telescope that got that specific
image?
For more information on the electromagnetic spectrum,
click on the picture to the right
Your First Mission:
TELESCOPES
Task #3: Fun with Infrared
1. Complete the activity on infrared
radiation.
2. How can infrared technologies be used
to learn more about objects in our solar
system?
Your First Mission:
TELESCOPES
Hubble Space Telescope
Task #4: Hubble Space Telescope vs
James Webb Space Telescope
1.
2.
3.
James Webb
Space Telescope
Read through the introduction.
Navigate through the interactive on the left
side of the screen (size, wavelength, orbit,
visibility).
Create a Venn Diagram in the provided space
to organize the information you’ve learned
about the two space telescopes.
Your Second Mission:
SATELLITES
Define the term, “satellite”.
1.
a)
b)
Give an example of a natural satellite
Give an example of an artificial satellite.
NASA’s GRAIL Mission
In the left margin, click on “Mission Overview.” Read
and answer the following questions.
1.
a)
b)
c)
What does “GRAIL” mean?
How many satellites are involved in this mission?
What is the main objective of this mission?
In the left margin, click on “Launch”. Read and answer
the following questions.
2.
a)
b)
When was GRAIL launched? From where?
When was GRAIL-A scheduled to reach the moon? GRAIL-B?
In the left margin, click on “Multimedia”.
3.
a)
Scan through the Image Gallery (24 images) and list the names of
the 4 photos that interested you the most.
Your Third Mission:
SPACE PROBES
Task #1: NASA
1. Visit the NASA website and read about
space probes.
2. Create your own definition for “space
probe.”
Your Third Mission:
SPACE PROBES
Task #2: National Geographic Space Probe
Photo Gallery
1.
2.
Hit “Next” on the bottom left of the black box
twice to get to the “Image Gallery”.
Navigate through the images of the different
space probes and complete the provided table
organizing:
1.
2.
3.
The probes
Where they went or will go
What their main objective was/is
Your Third Mission:
SPACE PROBES
Task #3: Titan, Saturn’s largest moon
Watch the video on Titan and answer the
following questions:
1.





What 2 objects are shown as being smaller than Titan?
What’s the name of the probe that changed our perspectives when
looking at Titan?
What types of features were found on Titan that are similar to Earth?
What is the name of the probe that went through Titan’s atmosphere?
Even though there are similarities between Earth & Titan, what are the
major differences between the two bodies?
Click on the 3D Globe and look at features
found on Titan.
Look at the Latest Images
2.
3.
1.
2.
Choose your favorite image of Titan.
Provide observations about the image and tell why
this image stood out to you.
Your Third Mission:
SPACE PROBES
Task #4: Time to Write
1. After completing these exercises, write at
least one paragraph about the
importance of space probes to scientists
when learning about our universe.

Remember to use the correct format for your
paragraph: topic sentence, concrete details,
commentary and a closing statement.
Your Fourth Mission:
SPECTROSCOPES
Task #1: Spectroscopes & Spectroscopy
 Read the information provided.
 Answer the following questions as you
read:
1.
2.
3.
What is the purpose of spectroscopy?
What do spectroscopes actually do?
What are the 3 basic types of
spectroscopes?
Your Fourth Mission:
SPECTROSCOPES
Task #2: Decoding Cosmic Spectra
Launch the Interactive Activity found in the center
of the page.
Follow the instructions provided on the left side of
the activity
1.
2.
1.
2.
3.
Match the blue question mark with the correct number
below to determine elements present.
List the 4 astronomical objects observed.
Answer the following questions for EACH object.
1.
2.
What type of spectra was used? (found in description after each
object’s elements have been determined)
What elements were present based on the information from the
spectra provided?
Assessment

WebQuest Answer Sheet
Telescopes: 50 total points
 Satellites: 14 total points
 Space Probes: 46 total points
 Spectroscopes: 20 total points
 Completion of all assigned missions: 20
possible points

Worth 150 total points; assessed as a
major grade.
 CHECK OVER YOUR WORK!

Your Exploration Has Been a
SUCCESS!!!!
WOOHOO!!!! You did it!
After completing this WebQuest, you should have
a working knowledge of the types of technology
scientists are using to explore the great
unknown, our universe.
If you have any further questions,
write them on your Assessment page.
☻Rouse☻
Standards

8-4.10: Compare the purposes of the tools and
the technology that scientists use to study
space (including various types of telescopes,
satellites, space probes, and spectroscopes).

8-6.8: Compare the wavelength and energy of
waves in various parts of the electromagnetic
spectrum (visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet
radiation).
Citations


















http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/telescope-mirrors/en/
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/cosmic-colors/en/#
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/ir-matching/en/
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/webb_hubble/
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/jpl/education/spaceprobe-20100225.html
http://beta.origin.nationalgeographic.com/educator-resources/wildest-weather/gallery/spaceprobes_6-8/#/pia10075_27340_600x450.jpg
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/flash/Titan/index.html
http://nfsi-server.yerkes.uchicago.edu/FTProot/spectroscope/Spectroscopy/basics1.htm
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origins/spectra.html
http://beta.origin.nationalgeographic.com/educator-resources/wildest-weather/activity/spaceprobes_6-8/
http://static.theurbn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Esa-space-exploration.jpg
http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l1/emspectrum.html
http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_rec.php?id=16467
http://hubble.nasa.gov/main.php
http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/heic9901a/
http://www.spacetoday.org/Satellites/YugoWarSats.html
http://www.kongsberg.com/en/KDS/News/FeatureStories/OuterSpace
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap041028.html
http://www.universetoday.com/13587/space-debris-illustrated-the-problem-in-pictures/