Morse Code Communication

AUTHOR:

ROBIE Group

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:

9-12; physical science & Physics

TECHNOLOGY LEVEL:

Moderate (Internet)

CURRICULUM STANDARD:

SI-M-A7 PS-H-B3
SI-M-B2 PS-H-B5
SI-M-B3
SI-H-A3

OVERVIEW:

In the Radio component of Robie student will be communicating with the satellite using Morse Code. This activity introduces them to Morse code and lets them practice effective communication using it.

OBJECTIVES:

The student will be able to...

Use Morse code
Understand the value of effective and clear communication
Understand the limits of communication

RESOURCES-MATERIALS:

ASTRONAUT MISSION DESCRIPTION and SCIENTIFIC JOURNALIST GUIDELINES

http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/tech/DailyNews/KWMorse980716.html
For a 160-year-old technology that's pronounced dead at least once a year, Morse code is a pretty lively corpse.
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/atthtml/mrshome.html
An online collection of the papers of Samuel Morse.
http://www.kluft.com/~ikluft/ham/morse-intro.html
A great introduction to Morse Code and why it is an effective means of communication and NOT an anachronism.
http://www.stormy.ca/morse/
A downloadable program that allows you to practice Morse Code.
http://www.soton.ac.uk/~scp93ch/morse/trans.html
A Morse Code translator on the web that uses CGI script.
http://www.morsehistoricsite.org/
Samuel B. Morse

PROCEDURES:

Introduce students to Morse Code
Separate the students into teams of four, two will be astronauts and two will be scientific journalists.
Give the astronauts a copy of the Astronaut Mission Description (attached) and give the scientific journalists a copy of Scientific Journalist Publishing Guidelines (attached)
After reviewing their tasks the students will meet with the other members of their team communicate ONLY IN MOSE CODE.
Astronauts will ONLY respond to questions posed and will not volunteer information.
The scientific journalists will prepare a brief article describing the mission of the astronauts.
Have a class discussion about the problems of communicating in Morse Code and how these difficulties may be alleviated.

EVALUATION:

The most successful team will have the most complete and accurate description of the mission of the astronauts.

EXTENSIONS:

Plan the most effect way for students to communicate with the radio satellite.

ASTRONAUT MISSION DESCRIPTION

Major Tom and her 8-member crew took off from earth on 3/26/2001 for a mission to Mars. The mission was centered on the search for water and life, but they also gathered rock samples for other experiments as well. The flight over was relatively uneventful, but they did have a minor problem with the ventilation system. The landing was perfect and as she peaked out of the window of the Space Shuttle she knew why Mars is called the red planet. To be continued... You are to ONLY RESPOND to questions asked and NOT volunteer information.

SCIENTIFIC JURNALIST PUBLISHING GUIDELINES

You are to interview the astronauts whom have just completed a mission to a planet in our solar system. The astronauts will ONLY RESPOND to questions asked and NOT volunteer information. Phrase your question carefully, as you will be preparing an article describing this mission for the Washington Post.