Geodynamics Science Highlight
NASA GSFC Geodynamics 921

SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT

Geodynamics Branch, Code 921

December 2002

921 Teams with 691 on Successful Educational DDF Proposal Sakimoto, Stockman, Roark and Frey Involved in 3-Dimensional Model Making for Classroom Teacher Kits Demonstrating Comparative Planetary Surface Features

John Keller of Code 691 makes plastic models of spacecraft parts - and planetary surface features. The same plastic extrusion device obtained to support mission development work can be used to make 3-dimensional models of volcanoes, river valleys, impact craters and other features - provided a really good topography data set exists. MOLA (Mars Orbiting Laser Altimeter) has provided such data for Mars and comparable data exists for many parts of the Earth. So it is possible to make high accuracy topographic maps of surface features of interest. But flat views, even in perspective, do not fully convey the volumetric aspects of such objects. This is where models, like those of volcanoes at the right, can be useful.

Models of the Hawaiian Island chain (Earth) and the single volcano Olympus Mons (Mars) at the same horizontal scale and same vertical exaggeration Models of the Hawaiian Island chain (Earth) and the single volcano Olympus Mons (Mars) at the same horizontal scale and same vertical exaggeration).

"Exploring Planetary Topography in the Classroom Using 3-Dimensional Models" is the title of a Director’s Discretionary Fund proposal recently won by Keller and four 921 co-investigators. Susan Sakimoto, Stephanie Stockman, Jim Roark and Herb Frey provided expertise in Earth and Mars geology, use of MOLA and Earth- based topographic data, and educational outreach using planetary analogs. Keller generated a number of example models for display at both the DDF presentation and at the Fall Geological Society of America (GSA) meeting. At the GSA a visually impaired undergraduate took advantage of the models (right). The DDF proposal is to develop teacher kits and lesson plans around comparative features on the two planets. These will be tested out in classrooms by teachers in Sakimoto’s course “Teaching the Solar System” in the Spring at Johns Hopkins University.

Wade Bailey uses touch to explore models he cannot see. Wade Bailey uses touch to explore models he cannot see. Wade Bailey uses touch to explore models he cannot see.

Contact: Herb Frey, GSFC, Code 921 (Herbert.V.Frey@nasa.gov)

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Responsible NASA official: Dr. Herbert Frey

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Last modified on Jan 3, 2003