Lunar Craters

Learning Objectives

• Students will measure simulated impact craters to collect data.
• Students will create a spreadsheet to record and analyze data.

TEKS Correlations

111.16.4.12; 111.16.4.14(B); 111.16.4.15(A)

127.3.7(B)

Materials

• Baking pans
• Flour
• Powdered instant chocolate mix or cocoa
• Small pebbles
• Metric measuring sticks or rulers
• Computers and spreadsheet software

Procedures/Activities

• Fill baking pans almost full with flour.
• Cover flour with a light layer of instant chocolate powder or cocoa.
• Have groups of students drop (not throw) pebbles from three heights: knee and shoulder height and as high as they can reach.
• Students should measure and record the diameter of the crater for each height.
• In the computer lab, the students should create a spreadsheet showing the height of the drops and the diameter of the crater created by each drop.
• Discuss why the higher the drop, the larger the diameter should be.

Evaluation

The spreadsheets created by the students are used for evaluation. Teachers should look for correctly created rows and columns of data. Advanced computer students can format cells with formatting options if desired.

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