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Before you can enter the exciting world of Squeak, you need to download the Squeak plugin at http://www.squeakland.org. Once you have the Squeak plug-in installed, you can access any Squeak project from an internet browser like Netscape, Safari, or IE.
Squeak is a free, exciting, multimedia, object-oriented, authoring environment
that runs on many different computer platforms. Playing in the Squeak Etoy
environment is mind challenging. Explore and create as you have fun with
Squeak Etoy projects. Click on any project below to start. Sound is a part
of the multimedia environment so be sure your speaker is turned on. Visit NASA
CONNECT™ to get supporting information for the episodes listed
at the bottom of each description.
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GIS Challenge
Norbert and Zot have created a Geographical Information System (GIS) for forests on planet Earth.
Can you help them gather, plot, and analyze data for their final report?
- Concepts: GIS, deforestation.
- Math: Areas, fraction, percent, random sampling, measurement,
plotting, data analysis.
Episode:
Hidden Challenges: Landscape Archeology© |
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Sundial Challenge
Norbert has lost his watch, but he can still tell
time using Sun shadows. Take, plot and analyze data on a simulated
Sundial. Can you explain the daily change in the shadows?
- Concepts: Sundials, Earth-Sun
motion.
- Math: Angles, symmetry, measurement, plotting, data analysis.
Episode:
Ancient Observatories© |
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Park and Mail Challenge
Come to Norbania and learn about energy. Observe
Norbert park in his Massive Space Garage. Help Zot mail a package using
the magical Norbanian Postal System.
- Concepts: Kinetic and potential
energy, position and velocity.
- Math: Measurement, plotting, data
analysis.
Episode: Rocket to the Stars© |
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Norbesaur Challenge
We take a trip back in time around
100 million years ago to study the Norbesaur - Norbert’s fictitious
ancestor. Learn how scientists use ratios to determine how fast dinosaurs
ran.
- Concepts: Biomechanics, position and velocity.
- Math: Measurement,
plotting, data analysis, ratios.
Episode: Good Stress: Building Muscles and Bones© |
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Laser Challenge
Norbert and Zot need help calibrating their laser system and measuring thicknesses
of unknown aerosols and clouds. Learn how the laser light intensity decreases
as it passes through aerosols and clouds.
- Concepts: Lasers, calibration and measurement.
- Math: Plotting, data analysis, ratios and algebra.
Episode: The "A" Train Express©
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Extrasolar Challenge
Norbert and Zot need help to make a model of Norbania. They are homesick.
Learn about the relation between the distance of the planet from its sun
and its period of revolution.
- Concepts: Motion, solar system, Astronomical Unit, period.
- Math: Plotting, data analysis and ratios.
Episode: The Venus Transit© |
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Robot Challenge
Design a Norbot or Zotbot to complete a mission on the International Spaced
Station. Learn the relation between geometric figures as you assemble the
needed parts into the Norbot or Zotbot.
- Concepts: Reading comprehension, design and analysis.
- Math: Relations among geometric figures.
Episode: PSA: The Astronaut Helper© |
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Rocket Launch Challenge
Launch rockets and learn about motion and gravity. Take and plot data to
better understand position, velocity and acceleration. Try your rocket on
the Moon and other planets.
- Concepts: Position, velocity, acceleration, and gravity.
- Math: Plotting and data analysis.
Episode: Festival of Flight© |
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Exercise Challenge
Put Norbert and Zot through their paces with an exercise regime. Try to make
their average heart rate 100 beats per minute. Check and plot your own heart
rate.
- Concepts: Exercise and heart rate.
- Math: Plotting, data analysis, estimation and average.
Episode: Better Health from Space to Earth© |
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GPS Challenge
Where in the world are Norbert and Zot? The computer in a GPS uses geometry
to determine positions on the surface of the Earth. That's why math is so important!
- Concepts: GPS, trilateration and geography.
- Math: 2D and 3D geometry, circles and spheres.
Episode: Virtual Earth© |
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Theorem Challenge
Explore parallelograms more deeply and create theorems about parallelograms.
Creating theorems will help build the muscle of your mind.
- Concepts: Parallelograms and theorems.
- Math: Reasoning, proof, angles, sides, and areas.
Episode: The "Wright" Math© |
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Northern Lights Challenge
Answer the question "Do Northern Lights exist on other planets?" Exploration
tools in the Squeak project are waiting for you to explore the other planets.
- Concepts: Electromagnetism, electrons, and atmosphere.
- Math: Data analysis, ratio, and proportion.
Episode: Dancing in the Night Sky© |
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Freefall Challenge
Norbert and Zot are waiting in an elevator. Make them weightless. "Design" the
elevator so that it gets to the lobby as soon as possible while Norbert and
Zot remain comfortable.
- Concepts: Position, velocity, acceleration, weight, mass.
- Math: Plotting and data analysis.
Episode: Who Added the "Micro" to Gravity?©
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