Tech Lesson 07-4a:  Orbit Simulation With Scratch

Standards:
Demonstrates understanding of basic technology and telecommunication tools
Operates Basic technology tools and applications

CSTA Level I Standard 4: (3rd to 5th) Use general purpose productivity tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, remediate skill deficits, and facilitate learning throughout the curriculum.
CSTA Level I Standard 5: (3rd to 5th) Use technology tools for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create presentations, and publishing activities to create presentations for audiences inside and outside the classroom.

Basic Skills:
S4E2 Students will model the position and motion of the earth in the solar system and will explain the role of relative position and motion in determining sequence of the phases of the moon.
a. Explain the day/night cycle of the earth using a model.
b. Explain the sequence of the phases of the moon.
c. Demonstrate the revolution of the earth around the sun and the earth’s tilt to explain the seasonal changes.
d. Demonstrate the relative size and order from the sun of the planets in the solar system.

Objective:
Students will create a two planet orbital system around a central star using Scratch.  The inner planet will rotate with a faster orbit than the outer planet.  Students will use move and turn commands in combination with iteration to create the orbits.  

Project Requirements:

1.  Create a star and two planets using drawing function for solar system.
2.  Two orbiting planets with different rates of rotation.
3.  No planets collide with star or each other.

Project Extras:
1.  Create a moon that revolves around around one of the planets.
2.  Use costumes to simulate planet rotation while orbiting star.
3.  Use pen functions to trace planet and moon orbits.

Process:  (Student Directions)
1.  Teacher uses students to demonstrate planet system with 2 planets and one moon.
2.  Teacher demonstrates basic movement scripts for making circles.
3.  Students create orbit project and save.

Script Samples:
Simple Orbit (Make a Circle)


Orbit with starting position:


Orbit with Pen Down to draw path:




Assessment:
Meets:
Students create and save two planet orbital system with different rates of speed for inner and outer planets.  

Exceeds:
Students create and save two planet orbital system with different rates of speed for inner and outer planets.  System also has at least one moon that orbits a planet and uses pen to trace orbital paths.