Lesson Title: Finding Impact Craters
Remote satellite images of the Earth are used to distinguish impact craters from other landforms.
• Describe the effects of extraterrestrial objects upon the Earth's topography, atmosphere and living organisms.
• Describe the role of satellite technology in helping scientists to identify evidence of impact events.
• Describe why and how science is an ongoing process of discovery.
Professional Development Training Module for This Lesson
Lesson Activities and Sequence
- Finding Impact Craters
This activity will guide students through discussions regarding known impacts that have occurred on the Earth and the possible outcomes that have resulted.
Working in teams of three to five, students will then evaluate satellite images of the Earth to determine the traits associated with impact craters in different regions of the world.
The activity description contains six steps with the first three steps providing background, which may or may not be required for every group in the upper grade levels.
Keywords: Earth, topography, atmosphere satellite technology, scientific process, satellite images, extraterrestial objects, meteorite, teamwork, data analysis, velocity, kinetic energy, latitude, longitude, geography
National Science Education Standards, NSTA
• Properties and changes of properties in matter.
• Motion and forces.
• Transfer of energy.
Earth and Space Science
• Structure of the earth system.
• Earth's history.
• Earth in the solar system.
National Geography Standards, NCGE
The World in Spatial Terms
The Uses of Geography