Format
1. Students will learn about their role as Tech Ops, be briefed on an agent in trouble, and try and create a signalling device using only a couple of items (sent to teacher prior to visit).
2. Students will learn about frequency analysis in order to decipher a message found by the agent in a suspect's office.
3. Students use high-resolution satellite images to device an exfiltration plan for their agent.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
1) Describe characteristics of some everyday materials and objects (a battery, wire, paper clip,etc.) and how they can be used to solve a spy challenge.
2) Use frequency analysis to determine the pattern of an enciphered message and decrypt it.
3) Use spy satellite imaging to find ways for the agent to get from her current location to the embassy.
Standards Alignment
National Standards
National Mathematics Standards: Grade 6-8
- collect data using observations, surveys, and experiments.
- describe, extend, and make generalizations about geometric and numeric patterns.
- represent, analyze, and generalize a variety of patterns with tables, graphs, words, and, when possible, symbolic rules.
State Standards
District of Columbia Public Schools 5th grade Science Standards:
5-PS1 Matter and Its Interactions
• 5-PS1-3 Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties
3-5-ETS1 Engineering Design
• 3-5-ETS1-1: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
• 3-5-ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
• 3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
DCPS Middle School Science Standards
MS-ETS1 Engineering Design
• MS-ETS1-1: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
• MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
• MS-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
• MS-ETS1-4: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.