Case O6: “Making a Robotic Telescope” Course

Complexity
  • Medium - Advanced
Target Level
  • P5 – P6

Objective:
The activity is about the use of astronomical technologies to develop a wonder of science and technology, and becoming a provocation to encourage students to learn more about ICT.

Description:
The “Making a Robotic Telescope” course includes introduction of the program, talking about the use of telescope and related technologies (space telescopes, astrophotography, astronomical survey, etc.). It will be making and assembling the main part of the telescope, introducing about the physics behind. It will include introduction to 3D printing to print out parts of the telescopes, program to control the focuser and assembling all the parts by doing experiment.

Hardware
  • 3D Printer
  • Laptop or tablet
Software
  • Common programming languages like Arduino
Cloud Services
  • Optional
Major Activities
  1. Theoretical session covering:
    1. Introduction to the use of telescope and technologies related to telescopes (space telescopes, astrophotography, astronomical survey)
    2. Making / assembling the main part of the telescope,
    3. Learn the physics theories behind
    4. Introduction to 3D printing
    5. Introduction to Arduino
  2. Practical session covering:
    1. 3D Printing on parts of the telescopes and focuser
    2. Using Arduino to control the focuser
    3. Assemble telescopes parts and do experiment.
Learning Objective(s)
  • To learn about physics and the space technologies such as usage of telescope
  • To learn about Arduino and using it to control machine / equipment
  • To learn about the making of a robotic telescope, practice the process and experiment the work.
Duration
  • 8 hours
Target No. of Students
  • About 25 students per course